A little while later she returned. Jessica looked up at her as she entered. “You look refreshed.” Catherine nodded as she poured herself some juice. Peter poured himself some coffee then looked at Catherine. “Would you like a cup?” Catherine shook her head. “No thank you I gave it up when I found out that I was pregnant.” Peter nodded in approval. “I am glad to hear that.” Catherine looked at him again. “Yes and if I want to have more children with Vincent I am going to have to take care of myself.” Peter looked at Jessica and smiled. “So you want more children?” Jessica probed. Catherine nodded. “Oh yes if Vincent agrees I very much want to have another baby with him.” Peter moved over and took her hand in his. “Well honey I believe that you will find that Vincent has many regrets about your relationship.” Catherine frowned when she heard this. “What do you mean he has regrets?” Peter gently squeezed her hand. “Well honey let’s just say that denying you and himself a physical relationship has been a great source of regret and pain for him.” Catherine shook her head. “My poor love he’s punishing himself for protecting me.” Peter then put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “Don’t worry honey he is going to be fine once you are home with him again.” Jessica then handed Catherine a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. “Now young lady eat.” She ordered lovingly. Catherine took the plate then sat down at the table.

An hour later the three of them arrived at the airport. Catherine looked around at all the people mulling around. “I am not sure that I am ready for this flight.” Peter looked at her. “Why honey?” She sighed. “What if someone recognizes me?” Jessica shook her head. “You don’t have to worry about that honey we have use of a private plane.” Catherine looked at her. “Whose plane?” Jessica smiled. “Elliott Burch let us use his jet.” Catherine could not believe what she had just heard. “Elliott did that?” Peter smiled. “Yeah honey you are going to find that he is not the same man that he was before.” Catherine looked at him confused. “What do you mean?” Jessica chuckled. “He is married now.” Catherine could not believe what she was hearing. “Married to who?” Peter chuckled. “He is married to Rebecca.” Catherine shook her head. “Rebecca?” Jessica nodded. “Yes Rebecca from the tunnels.” Catherine looked at her again stunned. “How in the world did that happen?” Catherine asked. Peter chuckled. “A few months ago.” Catherine shook her head. “How did they meet?” Jessica smiled. “Elliott became a helper when he helped Vincent and Diana bring your son home.” Catherine looked at the older woman. “He knows Vincent?” Peter nodded. “Yes in fact the two of them have become very good friends I really think that Elliott understood more about you.” Catherine sighed. “I know that I had him confused at times when he would have to trust me without an explanation.” Jessica nodded. “Yes but now he really knows that the two of you would have never had a relationship.” Catherine looked sincere for a moment. “If I had met him either before my attack or if I had not had strong feelings for Vincent we might have ended up together.” Peter put his arm around her. “Well honey there is not really any reason to dwell on what might have been.” Catherine smiled and nodded. “You’re right I couldn’t imagine my life now without Vincent in it.”

As they approached the gate they walked out and got on board the plane. Catherine sighed as she settled into one of the seats. “I will have to thank Elliott for this when we get home.” Jessica shook her head. “He and Rebecca won’t be at the ceremony tonight.” Catherine opened her eyes and looked at her. “Really I would have thought that Father would want all helpers and tunnel residents there.” Peter nodded. “Normally yes but now that Rebecca lives above with Elliott he wanted to take her on a belated honeymoon to Asia.” Catherine smiled. “Oh she will love that she always asked me about places that I had been” Jessica chuckled. “Yes Father was quite worried about the trip because she had lived below all her life but Vincent reminded him that Elliott was a different man than he was before they knew him and that he would never let anything happen to her.” Catherine nodded in agreement. “He sounds like a totally different man.” She mused.

Peter sighed. “Well after Gabriel almost took everything from him and tried to get him to betray Vincent he changed.” Catherine looked at Peter alarmed. “He was going to betray Vincent?” Jessica put her arm around Catherine. “Gabriel tried to convince him that Vincent had stolen you from him and that he should get revenge but Elliott decided at the last minute that he would not go along with the plan he told Vincent and they both got away before Gabriel’s man could shoot either of them.” Catherine shivered. “It would have destroyed me to find out that Vincent had been killed.” She whispered. Jessica tightened her arm around her. “We know honey but everyone is fine.” Peter nodded. “Yes and now I want you to lay your head back and get some rest.” He directed. Catherine chuckled. “Yes Dr. Alcott.” She teased. Then she laid her head on Jessica’s shoulder falling into a very deep sleep dreaming of her upcoming reunion with Vincent and their son.

While this was happening in the tunnels Vincent was cleaning his chamber. He looked up when he heard a noise in the entrance. “Vincent are you busy?” Father asked as he entered the chamber. Vincent smiled and shook his head. “No Father I was just cleaning up a bit.” Father smiled then moved toward the cradle where the baby was sleeping. “I can’t get over what a miracle he truly is.” He whispered as he gently touched the baby’s soft cheek. Vincent moved over beside him. “Yes he is just as much of a miracle to me as his mother was.” Father then turned and walked over to the bed where he sat down. “So what are you planning to do today?” Vincent sat down next to him. “I am going to spend the day with my son.” Father nodded. “That is a wonderful idea. Vincent nodded. “Yes I have been very busy lately with the tunnel repairs and then with the preparations for his naming ceremony tonight so I wanted just to spend today with him alone before everyone wants to see him tonight.” Father chuckled. “Yes he is going to be a very popular little boy.” Vincent chuckled. “Yes and after Mary and the other women get hold of him I may not see him again before he is sleeping.” Father chuckled and nodded in agreement.

After a few moments of silence Vincent spoke again. “I truly hope that tonight’s ceremony will be a new beginning for all of us.” Father looked at him strangely. “What do you mean?” Vincent looked at him and sighed. “Father I want to be able to move on with my life so that I can concentrate on raising my son the way that I know Catherine would have wanted.” He explained. “She would not want either me or our son living in the past.” Father smiled slightly. “And maybe some day you will find someone to share your life with.” Vincent looked at him again and shook his head. “No Father that is the one thing that I know will never happen Catherine will be the only woman that I will ever love.” Father sighed. “Vincent you and I both know that is one thing that Catherine would want for you.” Vincent nodded. “I know that Father, but that is one wish of hers that I can never fulfill.” He stated quietly.

After a moment Father rose. “Well I have a few more things I need to do for the ceremony.” He was about to leave the chamber when he stopped and turned around again. “Oh the main reason that I came to talk to you is that we received a message from Joe this morning.” Vincent looked up at him again. “Are they all home?” Father shook his head. “No just Joe and Jenny.” Vincent nodded. “When are Peter and Jessica returning?” Father smiled. “Joe told me to tell you that they will be returning today and that they will all be here tonight for the ceremony.” Vincent nodded again. “Did he say why they went to Washington?” Father knew that this next part would make Vincent worry. “The only thing he said was that it had something to do with the trial of the doctor who killed Catherine.” Vincent rose from the bed. “Is there a problem?” Father shook his head. “No Joe said that yesterday he and the other men were convicted and that they will all be going to prison for the rest of their lives.” Vincent let out the breath he had been holding. “Well at least that is over and now Catherine can rest in peace.” He whispered as he moved over toward his son’s cradle again.

Father knew that Vincent needed to be alone with the baby. “I will see you both later.” Vincent nodded. “What is Devin doing today?” Father chuckled. “I woke him a few minutes ago to help me get the library ready.” Vincent smiled. “Are you certain that he is awake?” Father nodded. “Yes I was sure to wake him first before coming here so that he would have to get up.” Vincent laughed outright and shook his head. “Well you should go back to his chamber and make sure he did in fact get up.”

At that moment a voice broke into their conversation. “Hey I am not that bad.” With that Devin entered the chamber. “Yes you are.” Vincent argued. “Remember I have known you all our lives.” He teased. Devin shook his head. “You may have known me all my life little brother but I am still not that bad.” Father could not help but chuckle at the banter between the two brothers. “All right you two that is enough.” Vincent and Devin looked at their parent and smiled. “Now Devin you should go get yourself some breakfast I will meet you in the library shortly we have a lot to do today still.” Father stated. Devin nodded. “Okay Dad I will see you later Vin.” Then he turned and left the chamber.

When he was gone Vincent shook his head. “I am so glad that he is home.” Father nodded. “So am I.” Vincent then bent down and picked up his son. “Now if you will excuse me Father I need to get my son dressed.” Father nodded. “All right I will see you both later.” But before he left the chamber Father stopped. “Vincent are you feeling better today?” Vincent looked back at him. “Yes Father I am.” Father turned toward him again. “Are you certain?” Vincent turned toward him. “Yes Father I am fine I think that the ceremony tonight is just bringing back so many memories of what Catherine and I shared and everything that we went through.” Father nodded. “So you don’t believe you felt her yesterday?” Vincent sighed and shook his head. “No Father you and I both know that I will never feel her again and that she will never come back to me or to our son.” Father sighed. “I just wish you could find some peace of mind.” Vincent smiled sadly. “I will in time.” Then the tunnel elder turned again and left the chamber.

After he had gone Vincent walked over and sat down gently on the bed. He smiled lovingly as he looked down at the miracle child in his arms that he and Catherine had created. “I promise you my son you will always be a living reminder to everyone of the love that your mother and I shared.” He then gently kissed him on the cheek and rose to get him dressed.

Above in the city a dark limousine pulled up outside Peter and Jessica’s home. Peter, Jessica, and Catherine got out of the car as the driver opened the door. Then they entered the house. Catherine smiled as she looked around the familiar home of her father’s old friend. “I am so glad to be back.” Jessica moved forward and put her arm around her shoulders. “And we are glad to have you back.” Peter nodded in agreement.

At that moment the door to Susan’s old bedroom opened. Catherine looked over at Jessica who smiled. Then she looked back at the door. She smiled when she saw Susan moving out of the bedroom. “Susie it so good to see you.” Catherine remarked. Susan could not say anything she just continued to stare at her friend. “Is it truly you?” Peter moved over and put his arm around his daughter. “Yes baby it is Cathy.” With that Susan moved forward and embraced her friend as they both began to cry. “Joe called and told me about everything but I was still unsure that he was being serious.” Catherine tightened her arms around her friend. “I am alive Susie and I am finally home.”

After a few more moments they separated. “What happened to you?” Susan asked. Catherine smiled. “I will tell you everything I promise but I want to freshen up right now.” Jessica moved over toward her again. “We asked Joe to get your clothes and some other personal items of yours out of storage.” Catherine chuckled. “I may not be able to wear my clothes after having a baby.” Susan put her arm around Catherine. “Well let’s go see what you can wear and if you can’t wear any of it I am sure I have something that will do.” Catherine turned once again and embraced Jessica. “Thank you for bringing me home again.” She whispered. Jessica tightened her arms around the younger woman. “Honey we are just glad that tonight everything will finally be over for both you and Vincent.” With that Catherine moved back then she and Susan turned and walked down the hall into the guest bedroom closing the door behind them.

Later in the afternoon Peter entered the tunnels. He wanted to see Father before the ceremony to let him know that they were home. He had promised Catherine that he would not tell anyone that she was alive and at his house. He happily walked down the tunnel until he heard Devin and Father talking in the library. Stepping into the entrance Peter smiled. “I was not aware that the wayward son had come home for a visit.” He teased. Devin and Father looked up at him. “Well this is more than just a visit.” Devin told him as they embraced. “I am home for good.” Peter smiled. “That is wonderful I am sure that Vincent and Father are happy about that.” Father nodded. “Yes we are both very happy that he is back.” Peter then moved over and sat down. “I just wanted to come and tell you that we were back and that Susan is here too.” Father smiled brightly. “Oh she must come tonight to the ceremony.” He mused. Peter nodded. “Oh she would not miss it for the world she wants to see the baby very much.” Devin chuckled. “Well Vincent was right I suppose that none of the women he knows can resist that baby.” Peter smiled proudly. “And what would you expect from our handsome grandson?” Devin chuckled. “Oh so you are grandpa too?” Peter nodded. “Yes since Catherine’s father is gone I figured that he would want me to act as his grandson’s surrogate grandfather.” Father nodded. “I am sure that both Catherine and her parents will be looking down on all of us tonight proudly.” Peter nodded mutely. He had to fight the urge to tell his old friend that Catherine was alive and that she would be returning to Vincent and their baby boy tonight.

He suddenly rose from his chair. “Well I am going to say hello to Vincent and see my grandson for a few moments then I must get back.” Father nodded. “All right come back by here and say goodbye before you leave.” Peter then moved toward the steps. “I will.” He then climbed the steps and stepped out of the chamber heading down the tunnel toward Vincent’s.

When he arrived at Vincent’s chamber he heard Vincent talking to his son. He smiled as he moved into the chamber entrance. “You look very content together.” Vincent looked up from his son and smiled. “Peter I am so glad you are back.” Peter then moved into the chamber. “Yes well we had to take that last minute trip to Washington but none of us were going to miss this little one’s naming ceremony.” He then reached out and gently took the baby into his arms. “And how are you doing today little one?” Vincent watched them amused. “He is as wonderful as ever.” Peter looked over at him and nodded. “Oh I know how wonderful he is.”

Vincent suddenly got a serious look on his face. “Father told me that you had to go to Washington because it had something to do with Catherine’s death.” Peter looked at him. “Yes it did and I will tell you everything tonight after the ceremony I promise.” Vincent nodded. Then Peter handed the baby back to him. “Well I have to be getting back Susan is home and she and her mother want me home soon.” Vincent smiled. “She is coming tonight isn’t she?” Peter nodded. “That is why she came home she wanted to see your son.” Then he moved toward the chamber entrance. “Oh and Jessica and I have a very special gift for both you and the baby.” Vincent looked up at him curiously. “What type of gift could be for both of us?” Peter shook his head. “You are just going to have to wait until the ceremony because I am not saying another word.” He then turned and left the chamber as Vincent smiled and shook his head. Then he looked down at the baby again. “Your grandfather Peter can be rather mischievous at times.” He then started the story once again that he had been telling his son before Peter arrived.

When Peter arrived at Father’s chamber again he found him there with Devin again. “I thought you two had more preparations?” He teased as he entered the chamber. Devin smiled and rose. “We are all done besides I want to go back with you and see Susie.” Peter thought about refusing then changed his mind. He realized that if Devin knew about Catherine being alive that could make the reunion tonight between her and Vincent easier. “Sure I know she would love to see you.” Devin looked over at Father. “Do you need me?” Father chuckled and shook his head. “No you run along and tell Susan that I will see her tonight.” Devin nodded then he and Peter left the chamber heading for Peter’s home.

A few minutes later they arrived at the secret entrance of Peter’s house. Peter pushed it open and climbed through then Devin climbed through. Devin then closed the door behind them. He was about to stand when Catherine came out of the kitchen. “Jessica, Susan, and I were wondering if you were coming back.” Peter smiled at her. “I got a bit sidetracked.” Devin stood and slowly turned around until he was facing the kitchen and the familiar voice.

Catherine gasped and put her hand to her mouth when she saw him. “Oh God Devin!” He looked at her in disbelief then looked at Peter. “What’s going on?” Catherine moved toward him. “I was not dead like everyone thought I was in a coma.” Devin reached out and touched her cheek. “You are alive aren’t you?” Catherine nodded as her tears began to fall. “I am alive and now I am home.” Devin then pulled her into his arms. “Oh God Chandler welcome home!”

By this time Susan and Jessica were standing in the kitchen door watching. Peter moved over and embraced both of them as they cried. When Catherine had calmed down she moved back. “How is he?” Devin smiled. “He is going to be wonderful let’s go below.” Catherine shook her head. “No Devin I want to go but not until the ceremony.” Devin stared at her for a moment. “Devin I think it will be better if I come with Peter and Jessica tonight.” Devin sighed. “Chandler are you certain?” Catherine nodded. “Yes I think it will be more special if we are reunited at our son’s naming ceremony.” Devin thought a minute. “Yes I believe you are right.” Then he put his arm around her. “Can I tell Dad?” Catherine thought a moment. “No I think it would be better if you kept it to yourself so that it doesn’t accidentally get back to Vincent.” Devin nodded. “All right Chandler it’s your call but tonight you are coming below to be with your family once and for all.” Catherine chuckled. “Yes Devin I am.” Then they sat down with the others and visited for the rest of the afternoon.

At 7:30 that night Catherine was in the guest bedroom of Peter’s house preparing to go below.
She was nervously trying to fix her hair when Susan and Jessica entered the room. They saw the look on her face and could not help but smile. “You having problems?” Jessica asked as she took the brush. “Yes this hair just doesn’t want to cooperate.” Catherine remarked frustratingly. Susan moved up and put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Hey calm down everything is going to be fine.” She assured her. Catherine looked at her and sighed. “I have never been this nervous about going to the tunnels.” Jessica smiled. “Cathy honey you have a right to be nervous under the circumstances.” She then began to brush Catherine’s hair. “Now just relax everything is going to be fine.” She crooned. Catherine took a deep breath and sighed as she began to calm down. She closed her eyes and let the sensation of the brush in her hair lull her into a sense of calmness.

Twenty minutes later Catherine, Peter, Joe, Jenny, Jessica, and Susan entered the tunnels via the secret entrance. Catherine looked around smiling as they walked down the familiar tunnels that she had missed for so long. “I have truly missed being here.” Peter moved up and put his arm around her. “We know honey but just a few more minutes and you will be with your family again.” Catherine nodded. “I know.” They continued down the tunnel as the pipes announced that the naming ceremony was about to start.

When they reached Father’s chamber they entered. Catherine stood just inside the chamber entrance in the shadows. She did not want anyone to see her before Vincent. She gasped quietly when he entered the chamber with their son in his arms. Peter looked back over his shoulder and smiled as he reached behind him and clutched her hand in his. “Just a few more minutes.” Catherine squeezed his hand tightly. Then they turned their attention back to Father as he began to speak.

Father stood proudly beside Vincent. Devin stood on the opposite side of his brother. He smiled slightly when he saw Susan and Jessica. He could not wait until Catherine made her presence known to everyone. He had requested to stand beside his brother during the ceremony. Vincent had happily agreed. Devin wanted to be with him when he first saw Catherine just in case Vincent needed his support. But Devin was sure that Catherine would be able to convince his little brother that she was home again with him and their son.

“We are here tonight to celebrate this new wonderful life who has come into our world.” Father began. “It is said that the child is the meaning of life. We welcome the child with love so that he may learn to love. We welcome the child with gifts so that he may learn the meaning of generosity. And finally we welcome the child with a name.” Father then turned and looked at Vincent. “And I believe that Vincent has chosen that name.”

Vincent nodded then looked down at his son. He was about to speak when a sweet familiar female voice spoke first. “His name is Jacob.” Everyone turned and was shocked into silence when Peter moved aside and Catherine entered the chamber. Vincent gasped when he first saw her. “Catherine?” He asked almost desperately. She nodded and moved down the steps into the chamber. “Yes love it’s me.” She whispered as she moved toward him.

Vincent felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back to see Devin smiling. “I know you can’t believe this is happening Vincent but I saw her at Peter’s house this afternoon and I promise it is Catherine.” Vincent turned and looked at her once again. He was about to speak when he noticed the familiar scar that lay in front of her ear. He moved back a step and turned toward Devin. “Would you hold him a moment?” Devin nodded and took the baby. Then Vincent turned back toward Catherine then he moved toward her. He opened his arms as he looked pleadingly at her. “Oh Catherine you have come home to us again!” He whispered with a sob. Catherine began to cry as she moved forward and fell into his arms. “Hold me tight please Vincent!” She begged. Upon hearing her plea Vincent began to sob harder. He tightened his arms around her and to her surprise picked her straight up off the chamber floor and held her against him as they both cried.

Father stared at the scene in front of him then looked at Devin. “You saw her this afternoon?” Devin nodded. “Yes when I went up to Peter’s house.” Father shook his head. “Why didn’t you tell either myself or Vincent?” Catherine lifted her head from Vincent’s shoulder when she heard the hurt in his tone. “Father I asked him not to tell anyone until the ceremony.” Father looked at her surprised. “Why not my dear?” Catherine looked at Vincent again and smiled. “You should put me down.” She whispered with laughter in her tone.

Vincent put her back on her feet. Then she turned toward Father. “I wanted to come home during our son’s naming ceremony because I knew that it would be a wonderful gift for all three of us.” Father nodded then opened his arms. “Well my dear Catherine I am just glad that you are home and that all our pain is finally over.” Catherine moved into his arms and held him. “I was so afraid that you would hate me after everything.” Father moved back slightly and cupped her cheek. “Catherine you are one of us I could never hate you.”

Catherine nodded then turned back toward Vincent. “May I hold our son I have not had that privilege?” He could hear the hurt and pain in her voice. “Of course my love you have been robbed of that for too long.” He turned and took Jacob back from Devin then moved forward and gently lay Jacob in his mother’s arms for the first time.

Catherine turned and stepped up beside him. “Oh Vincent he is so beautiful.” She whispered as her tears began again. Vincent put his arm around her waist pulling her close to his side. “He is just as beautiful as you are.” He commented. Catherine looked up from her son to his father. “And you.” Vincent chuckled and shook his head. “I have heard that from almost everyone here in the tunnels.” Catherine giggled. “Well they are just telling you the truth my love.” Vincent tightened his arm around her waist when he heard the endearment she used.

Father was brought out of his revelry when Samantha touched his arms. “Father is it time for the presents now?” She asked a bit impatiently. Everyone in the chamber chuckled. “Yes I believe it is time.” Father commented. Then he moved aside as tunnel residents and helpers converged on the young family.

Peter and the others came down the steps. Father looked up at his old friend and smiled. “You knew about this?” He asked teasingly. Peter chuckled and held up his hands in surrender. “Hey not until we went to Washington.” He stated. Vincent looked up when he heard this comment. “Catherine was in Washington?” She nodded. “Yes I was being held in protective custody by the FBI while I testified against the doctor who injected me with the morphine and a few other of Gabriel’s men.” Vincent tightened his arm around her protectively. “Why wasn’t anyone contacted?” Catherine looked down at Jacob who squirmed in her arms. “Love I will tell you everything later but for now let’s just enjoy this day for our son.” Vincent smiled lovingly. “Of course my angel after all this is our son’s day.”

Father then spoke to everyone again. “I believe that William has prepared a feast in the great hall to celebrate this wonderful and miraculous occasion.” The burly cook moved forward and smiled. “Yes and now we have to things to celebrate.” Catherine looked at him and smiled. “Thank you William.” She whispered. He smiled and moved toward her. “Welcome home Catherine.” Then he gently put his arms around her and Jacob. Father watched and smiled. Then he looked at Vincent. “Well with that shall we all go to the great hall?” Vincent nodded and put his arm around Catherine’s waist once again. “Yes Father.” He answered. He then led Catherine and Jacob out of the chamber as everyone followed.

As this was happening, in Malibu, California Diana stood on the deck of her sister’s beach house. She had come out to try to forget that her world had just collapsed. I can’t believe that Catherine is alive. She thought to herself. She looked out over the ocean and sighed audibly. “You sound frustrated.” A female voice whispered. Diana turned and smiled at the woman. “Marie!” She exclaimed. Then they embraced. “How did you know that I was here?” Diana asked as they separated. Marie smiled. “Your sister called me when you arrived yesterday.” Diana shook her head. “She worries too much.” Marie chuckled. “She’s your sister she’s supposed to worry.” She teased.

Then she noticed the sadness in Diana’s eyes. “Hey what’s wrong?” She asked as she put her arm around Diana. Diana shook her head. “It’s nothing really.” She whispered. Marie squeezed her gently. “I know you Di this is not nothing now talk!” She ordered.

Diana sighed and moved back to the patio furniture. She sat down and looked out at the ocean again. “My life just fell apart.” She whispered. Marie reached out and touched her arm. “Does this have something to do with that guy Vincent you told me about?” Diana had written Marie and lightly described Vincent. Telling her that she hoped to be the new woman in his life very soon.

Diana took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes I think I have lost him.” Marie sat down beside her and put her arm around her shoulders. “What makes you think that?” Diana looked at her. “You remember that I told you his lover and the mother of his infant son had been murdered by a mob boss?” Marie nodded. “Well a few days ago I accompanied the Manhattan D.A. and some of the woman’s friends to Washington because a female FBI agent called and told a doctor friend of hers and Vincent’s that she wanted to meet with him.” Diana took another deep breath. “Well at first the trip did not bother me because I was afraid that the case against the mobster’s remaining men was falling apart but then something happened that changed everything.” Marie looked at her curiously. “What changed?” Diana looked up at her. “The FBI agent that we met told us that Catherine was in fact alive and being held in protective custody so she could testify.” She whispered.

Marie looked at her shocked for a moment. “And no one that knew her was informed that she as still alive?” Diana shook her head. “No apparently the FBI lied to her and told her that all her friends and Vincent’s family knew that she was alive but that they wanted to wait to see her until she recovered.” Marie shook her head. “Recovered from what?”

Diana stood and moved to the banister and looked out over the ocean for a moment. Then she turned around again. “Apparently the night that Vincent thought she had died in his arms she had slipped into a very deep coma.” Marie stood and moved up beside her. “So now she is going home to him and their baby?” Diana nodded and wiped away a stray tear. “Yes in fact the baby’s Christening ceremony is tonight and her friends that were in Washington wanted to reunite them at the ceremony.”

Marie turned toward her when she heard the anger in her tone. “Di you can’t be angry with this woman because she survived such a horrible ordeal.” Diana looked at her. “What am I supposed to feel?” Marie smiled. “You should feel happy that Vincent and his son are being given back something that he thought was impossible.” Diana shook her head. “I can’t be happy we could have been good together and I would have been a good mother to the baby.” Marie put her hands on Diana’s shoulders and turned her to face her again. “Di you aren’t thinking rationally you were never with Vincent you told me that he only thought of you as his friend.” Diana then let the tears fall. “He could have learned to love me in time.” She whispered. Marie sighed and pulled her into her arms. “Shh honey you will be okay.”

Diana suddenly moved back and wiped away her tears. “I can’t accept this.” She remarked. Marie shook her head. “What other choice do you have?” She asked. Diana squared her shoulders and looked at her again. “I can give him an ultimatum!” She declared. Marie grabbed her by the arms and stared into her eyes. “Diana listen to me you are talking crazy if you give him that type of ultimatum to choose between you and his child’s mother you will lose what you do have his friendship.” Diana shook her head. “No Vincent is a loyal man he would never turn away from me like that.” She reasoned. Marie tightened her hands around Diana’s arms a bit. “Honey I am your friend and I love you too much to see you get hurt.” She stated. “You should really think of moving out here and getting away from the situation you could easily get yourself a job with the police department.”

Diana wrenched away from her. “I will never leave Vincent!” She stated adamantly. Marie sighed sadly. “Di you are in a no win situation and you are just going to get hurt.” Diana shook her head and turned around. “No Vincent loves me and he will realize it in time I just have to make him see that Catherine will never want to stay with him.”

Then she moved toward the balcony door. “Now if you will excuse me Marie I have travel plans to make because I am going home to the man I love and my future son in a few days.” Then she entered the house and closed the door behind her. Marie could only stare at the door then she sadly shook her head. Oh God please make her see that she is being irrational. She prayed. Opening her eyes again she turned and walked down the steps to her car.

< To be continued in part four