The old fashioned double sized sled had undergone quite a transformation since
last he'd seen it! Entrusting it to Mouses' sometimes capable hands, Vincent had to
admit he had some
misgivings. But when he was good, he was very good and this time he had outdone
himself, Vincent thought with a small delighted smile.
The wood had been refinished and was now stained to a golden brown. Its
curligue runners, once rusted and bent now gleamed from countless hours of buffing.
Mouse had even managed to find bright red paint to touch up the sleds decorative
Indentions.
And somehow, from heaven knows where, Mouse had added a shiny silver bell to
the front of the sled, creating a musical jingle each time the sled moved. It was truly a
masterpiece as
it glowed in the soft candle light of Vincents chamber where Mouse had left it waiting
for Vincents approval.
Staring at the sled, Vincents thoughts turned to the newly falling snow now
covering the park above and then to those of Catherine, pink cheeked and breathless,
clinging tightly to him
as they coasted down a snowy hill. Ever since he had found the sled, abandoned
behind an ash can in a deserted alley he had fantasized about the two of them doing
just that!
And now, even the weather seemed to be cooperating as the tunnel world prepared
for Winterfest the following evening. Catherine had already accepted his invitation for
the gathering
his plan in motion, he had asked her to dress warmly in case they went above after
Winterfest.
With a slightly questioning look, she had readily agreed, promising to meet him at
her threshold that night. He laughed softly at his own quickening pulse and light step
as he left his
chamber to find Mouse. He owed him a very special thank you, he decided, as his
golden furred hand felt for the roll of fine silver wire he had managed to obtain for his
little friend knowing how it would please him.
Now heading for Mouses chamber he realized he was even whistling.." In A
Winter Wonderland" He could hardly wait for Winterfest!
Twirling slightly before the full length mirror in her bed-room, Catherine stared at
her reflection, giving the soft white wool skirt and fuzzy sweater a critical look. The
sweater with
its full cowl neckline slid down an inch or shoulder. Might be a bit chilly she thought
with a grin but well worth Vincents reaction. Bare skin, she had learned, seemed to
have a most dizzying effect on him!
Quickly she fastened her sparkling crystal on its golden chain around her neck,
added some tiny gleaming earrings to her ears and then a slender matching bangle
bracelet to her wrist. Then a quick brushing of her fair hair, a touch of rose colored
lipstick and a touch of her favorite cologne and she was ready.
She had already sent a few things below for the celebration though Vincent had
assured her that her presence itself was gift enough. But thoughts of Winterfest and
the past gathering she had attended had sent her on a joyous shopping spree.
She had found small white chocolate snowflakes, actually a left over from
Christmas, for the children, a tiny bottle of Godiva white chocolate liquor for Father
and Mary to share later as well as bags and bags of white truffles with a sinful
chocolate center for everyone else to share.
And then in a moment of whimsy, she had purchased a long flowing white wool
scarf, stitched with blue snowflakes for Vincent! After all, he was not the easiest
person to shop for, and it would be warm and in the spirit of Winterfest!
With a few quick steps she was out the door, carrying a small overnight bag, in
case their evening ran late, with an extra change of warm clothing for just what she
wasn't sure! But he had said to dress warmly for later, which could mean a late
evening trip above and since it had been snowing all
day she knew he would be concerned for her comfort. "Though all I really need" she
thought silently "are his arms around me!" Best not to think too much about that she
decided, as she made her way to the basement of her apartment building.
She was near...that he knew as he stood silently in the shadows, waiting for the
light tapping that would soon occur. Even now a small shudder of intense Pleasure
shot thru him as he listened for her footsteps. He hadn't long to wait for almost at
that moment he heard the slight scraping of
boxes being moved aside, and then her fragrance, almost like the heady smell of
roses, as it wafted thru the chilly tunnel air.
Immediately he stepped forward and called her name as she smiled to herself in
the dim light, then started down the slightly rusting ladder and into the safety of his
arms. Carefully he lifted her the rest of the way down, holding her for as long as
possible, reveling in the softness of her body.
She was in no hurry to move, reluctantly stepping a short distance away as he
filled his eyes with the sight of her with the semi darkness. "I've missed you" she said
softly as he took her hands in his. "And I have missed you, my beautiful one in the
soft rasping voice she loved so well.
And see" she said, pointing to the bag she carried, "warm clothing for later...and
just what is later?" she asked with a sly grin. "Wait and see" he managed to say with
a maddening smile, "just wait and see!" With a rush of pleasure she leaned forward
and slightly brushed his lips with hers, knowing well the effect it had, then pretending
to be unaware of his shock, she took his arm, then handed him the bag as they
started down the rocky path in the direction af the Great Hall!
The faint sound of music, actually an accordion, a fiddle and a somewhat rusty
flute, could soon be heard as they arrived at the Great Hall.
The huge-wooden bars had been removed from the big doors, tables and benches set
in place and a roaring fire lit in the massive fireplace at one end of the chamber.
Simple table settings had been made by Williams kitchen crew with places set with mismatched
plates cups and mugs. As was their usual chore the children help had been enlisted to help decorate the
long tables and score upon score of white tissue snowflakes now adorned tables, chairs, walls and
every other available surface. And though small fingers and blunt scissors often produced some slightly
lopsided and misshapened snowflakes, the effect was very charming..and it was true...no two snow-
flakes were alike!
Rebecca too, had spent hours dipping her beautiful orange, yellow and white Winteriest candles
which now produced a radiant light throughout the Hall. And beside each plate an additional candle
waited for the special ceremony soon to take place. In this golden smoky light, amid the happy chatter
of the tunnel community, Catherine felt as though she had awakened in a world of long ago!
Leading her to a table near the fireplace, where Father and Mary sat like royal subjects of an ancient
court, Vincent carefully helped her to her seat before finding a place next to her. The size of the corner
bench they shared required that he sit very close to her, his massive body warmly brushing hers. As she
slipped out of her long white cashmere coat, her angora sweater dipped casually off one shoulder.
Even in the noisy clatter around them Catherine could hear his sharp intake of breath as he stared at
her rosy skin!
The rest of the evening was a blur of both old and new faces to Catherine, for this was the night
when the tunnel world invited those Helpers from above that made their world exist. She was both
pleasantly shocked
and surprised to see several familiar faces who were a part of this hidden world.
Great steaming bowls of succulent meats and vegetables were passed her way, followed by flaky
pies and cakes, baked with care in the tunnel kitchen. Hot fragrant pots of tea soon followed the main
courses and Catherine noticed that her faded cup and saucer bore a shabby but still clear red rose,
chosen she was almost certain by her dinner companion.
After much food and conversation, the tunnel community became very still as Father tapped
musically on a chipped crystal goblet and began to recite the words that by now were becoming
familiar to her. Following the directions of her table mates, she joined in the lovely ritual, as one by one
the lovely Winteriest candles were lit, filling the Great Hall with love and light. And beneath the table,
Vincent hand found hers, filling her with not only sweetness but desire!
Then everyone began to extinguish their candles, exchanging embraces and goodbyes and promises
of help for the coming year. Catherine watched as Vincent whispered something to Jacob that brought
an arched brow of surprise, then a slow smile and nod and very soon they were out of their seats and
making their way out of the Great Hall, in the direction of the Guest Chamber so that Catherine might
change into warm clothing. It had been an incredible evening!
A short time later, now warmly attired for above, they stood in the shadows of a seldom used tunnel
entrance looking out across a snow covered park. A midnight sky, sprinkled with tiny brilliant stars had
turned the frosty snow into a glittering panorama. Silently Vincent retrieved something from the
shadows and Catherine heard the jingling of a bell.
Curiously she moved closer to investigate and then said "It's a sled Vincent...oh it's beautiful...where
did you ever find it?" Her delight was obvious! Smiling almost shyly he replied "Rescued from above
my lovely Catherine...but the credit for restoring it all goes to Mouse. I am afraid it was in great
disrepair when I found it. Mouse restored it to its state
and even contributed the little silver bell."
"And its big enough for two...we're going sledding aren't we?" she said as her small gloved fingers
caressed the little bell. "If it pleases you Catherine...I have found a wonderful hill, very private, just
beyond a little grove of trees. You told me once that you and your family had a
sled and that you used to go sledding as a child. I wanted to give you that again. Of course it must be
by moonlight but perhaps that won't matter he said hesitantly.
"Matter...to be alone with you in the moonlight and to go sledding again...oh Vincent this is a
wonderful surprise" she said, the pleasure in her voice filling him with delight, that he had been able to
give her something that could make her happy! "Then we are off, my love!" he said.
as he took her hand, trailing the sled behind them.
True to his word, just beyond a small grove of trees, there was indeed a hill, generally unnoticed in
the summer and fall, but now covered with deep snow was quite steep. Effortlessly he helped her up
the back side where natural rocks and bushes provided access.
Soon they stood on top, surveying a private world, untouched by anything, with only the wind and
the occasional jingle of a small silver bell. Quickly they settled themselves on the double sled, Catherine
tucked warmly against Vincent, their bodies creating a delicious intimacy
in the frozen night. "Are you ready my love"he whispered as she held tight more to him than the sled.
Smiling, she nodded, brushing his downy cheek with hers as she stared out across the glittering
snowscape. "Then hold tight" he said as he pushed off from the side, causing the sled to start a slow
cascade down the hill. Gradually they began to pick up speed then went faster and
faster as the wind whipped their faces with a file silver mist. Now they were skimming the surface of
the hill, encountering very few bumps and moving effortlessly as though in a frozen dream. And then
suddenly they reached the bottom of the hill with a gentle bump, throwing
them both off into a small drift. Still holding tight to each other, they found themselves laughing and
brushing powdery_'frost from their faces.
Then touching her cheek his arms tightened around her pulling her soft body even closer to him.
Melting into his arms her lips found his in a innocent kiss that quickly became a sensual exploration of
his mouth, pursuing a path they had never traveled, his hands finding her lush curves beneath her coat.
Pulling back at last, she caught her breath and murmured "Sledding was never like this Vincent!"
Chuckling softly he replied "Then you did enjoy the ride?" "So much that I insist we do it again...and
again" she said with a mischievous giggle. Your wish is my command my lovely..one" he replied as his
lips again found hers beneath the starry sky and once
again thousands of tiny silver snowflakes began to fall softly to the earth like a winters kiss.
© 1998 vthomas@carolina.rr.com
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