The pale November sun cast a thin finger of light across the rumpled sheets as Catherine stirred slightly on this early Saturday morning. Stretch-ing and yawning, she opened her eyes and smiled, remembering brief moments of a dream she had just had and wishing it had been a reality!
Realizing that somewhere beneath the streets of New York City, a certain someone with golden hair and eyes as blue as a summer sky was also sharing those same images, she forced the delightful memory from her mind and emerged from the toasty warmth of her bed to begin her weekend.
Sometime later, still damp from a shower and clad in a fleecy sweatsuit, she sat at her dining room table with a cup of steaming coffee and a piece of cinnamon toast. Between bites, she made neat notes on a grocery list for Thanksgiving day. For the moment, however, her plans were tentative. She would, of course, be sharing the Thanksgiving feast with her "tunnnel family" below but she had also hoped that she and Vincent might share a special Thanksgiving dinner later that evening, alone!
It had seemed like such a perfect plan when first devised. They were sitting alone in his chamber, having a cup of Earl Grey tea, along with cheese and crackers from the kitchen. Long after William had gone to bed, they had stolen into the Tunnel kitchen and rummaged through the cabinets like two guilty school children, trying to be quiet and having little success!
At last, their hands and pockets full, they had returned to Vincent’s chamber and fed each other bits of cheese and broken crackers, gently brush-ing away the crumbs from each others faces, and making each attempt last as long as possible. It was at this point that she had broached the subject of a private dinner for the two of them at her apartment on Thanksgiving night.
Vincent had grown quiet for a moment, then asked if he could let her know a little later. Though she thought she understood his hesitance, it had come as a shock to her that he had not immediately answered yes. She had said that of course it would be fine and had almost tried to retract the invitation, until she saw the look in his eyes and realized that he was truly struggling with the decision. And so she had said that of course he must see if he could get away and let her know later.
It was now the Saturday before Thanksgiving and he still had not mentioned her invitation. She had decided not to press him for an answer but to plan as though he were corning...dinner preparation? could always be put on hold or even frozen for another day. Though she did hope that the invitation would be accepted.
Their time alone had become seldom and very precious. Sometimes it was her work though often as not, he was too busy below, with construction problems or community matters. Sighing softly, she sipped the last of her coffee and brushed away the toast crumbs as she checked her list.
She had already volunteered to bring a Waldorf salad, a great favorite of Fathers, since raisins and nuts were sometimes in short supply below. She had also decided to bring a large green salad for she knew that green vegetables were also a bit scarce this time of year and though William was a wizard in the kitchen, he must make due with what was available. Her suggestions for both had been met with strong approval!
With those ingredients listed, Catherine began making her "tentative" list. ..a small plump turkey hen, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh cranberries, a mixed vegetable of tiny sweet peas and mushrooms, yeast rolls and perhaps pumpkin tarts with whipped cream!
Of course it was more food than they could possibly eat, but it brought back memories of early Thanksgiving dinners with her parents when she was a child. Even now, she could almost smell the faint aroma of the cinnamon and spices that her mother had used in the homemade pumpkin pies that she and her father had loved so well!
"So I'll eat leftovers the rest of the week" she thought ruefully..." I still want it to be traditional! " Adding a couple of other items to her list, she decided to clear away her cup and plate before she made a trip to the market.
At last, as she was preparing to leave, with keys, purse and shopping list in hand, she checked the locks on her balcony doors and noticed an en-velope carefully wedged between the doors. Knowing immediately that it was from Vincent, she quickly unlocked the doors and took the envelope to her desk to open it.
Even seeing her name, written in the broad strokes of his handwriting, gave her a small quiver of excitement, as she slit open one end of the slightly wrinkled envelope with a dainty brass letter opener. The paper, though of good quality, had obviously been saved from another time and did not quite match the envelope.
My Dearest Catherine. . .Please forgive my tardy response to your gracious invitation for Thanksgiving supper. I can think of no more delightful way to spend the evening than dining with you! My only concern was that Father’s feelings might be hurt if I did not spend the day below.
With all my heart,
Vincent
Catherine's heart skipped a beat as thoughts of a quiet evening alone in front of the fireplace with him filled her mind! "And I should have realized" she thought silently "how difficult it must be for him to please everyone!" Vowing to make it a memorable evening, she all but skipped out the front door to the market, almost forgetting to lock the door behind her!
But hopefully he and the others will understand that our time together is very precious. If your kind invitation is still open, I would love to dine with you on that night.
"Vincent... have you a moment?" Father called as the familiar figure of his son walked past his chamber. "Of course, Father," he replied as he joined Jacob in his cluttered but cozy chamber. Automatically producing a chipped cup from a nearby tray, Jacob poured a cup of tea for Vincent as he took a seat in a battered but sturdy chair.
"And is the Great Hall ready for dinner on Thursday?" Jacob asked. "Almost, Father... I left Mouse and Jamie in charge of setting up the rest of the tables and chairs. It would seem that Mouse had a very unusual seating arrangement in mind, but Jamie managed to convince him to return to our more traditional plan" Vincent said with a chuckle.
"Thank heaven for that," Jacob said with a sigh of relief, remembering Mouse's attempt to redesign the Great Hall for Winterfest. "And Catherine will be joining us?" he asked with a slight hint of a smile. "She looks forward to it with great anticipation, Father...she and William have already discussed her contribution for dinner. In fact, she most specifically asked me to tell you that she would be bringing a Waldorf salad," he said.
"Good heavens...it's been years since I've tasted Waldorf salad," Jacob replied, as his mind went back to another time and place. "I can remember my mother allowing me to chop the apples and walnuts...but the raisins were my favorite! Sometimes the salad was quite short of raisins," Jacob said with a fond look.
"I'm sure that Catherine will provide many raisins, Father," Vincent replied. Then hesitating for a moment he continued..."Father, Catherine has asked me to share a late Thanksgiving supper with her on Thursday evening and I have told her that I will join her."
Jacob stared at Vincent for a moment, then removed his glasses, a sure sign that he was not altogether pleased with the conversation. "Well, of course if you've made up your mind, Vincent..." he allowed his voice to trail away. "It has been some time since Catherine and I have been able to spend time alone, Father. And as we will be here below for much of the day, I felt sure that everyone would understand our taking some time for ourselves." Silently Vincent thought that everyone but Father would totally understand his plans for the evening.
"Well," Jacob said in a slightly frosty tone "I can't imagine your wanting another meal that day, but if you must...!" With a sigh Vincent answered "I was sure you would understand, Father." Finishing his tea, Vincent rose to leave. "I promised William that I would bring up some supplies from the storage chamber...may I give him any messages for you?"
"No, no...I'm sure that William is quite busy with dinner preparations. I'll speak with him in the morning at breakfast. Run along now. ..I'm sure you have much to do," Jacob said, returning to his books and papers.
"Good evening Father...sleep well," Vincent said as he left. Once outside in the passageway, he stopped for a moment to ponder their conversation. Some-how he had known that Jacob would react just as he had. Feeling as though he were twelve years old again and in Fathers bad graces, he sighed deeply and decided to make the best of it...after all, Jacob would eventually come around...hopefully by Christmas, he thought with a grimace as he headed in the direction of William's fragrant kitchen.
Thanksgiving day dawned crisp and cold. As she finished the last of her dinner preparations before leaving for the tunnels, Catherine checked off several items on a well-worn list on the kitchen cabinet. Everything was in readiness and would require only a few last minute touches when she and Vincent returned later that evening. The well-stuffed turkey hen that she had filled with chestnut dressing was now slowly baking in the oven. Potatoes were cleaned and ready to cook as were the ingredients for her giblet gravy..."cross your fingers for that little chore, Chandler," she said aloud. Cranberry sauce and a jello salad were chilling nicely in the fridge, along with the whipped cream for the pumpkin tarts for dessert she'd baked that morning.
A cozy table, set with her mother’s china and silver was in readiness in front of the fireplace that needed only the touch of a match to come to life! She had even found a fine linen tablecloth with matching napkins, now shaded a soft ivory from the passing years. A few golden mums and sprigs of greenery added the finishing touch to the elegant little table.
"Not bad if I do say so myself," she said to the four walls of her apartment with a touch of pride. "Now if your dinner guest just doesn't get cold feet at the last minute..." she thought. With a quick glance at the clock above the mantle, Catherine decided it was time to prepare to go below.
A bright red cooler she had purchased last summer stood by the door, filled with the salads she had prepared. A small shopping bag next to it held some special teas for Father and Mary.. ."Maybe that will put him in a better mood," she thought with a sly grin. There was also a bag of bright foil wrapped choc-olate turkeys for the children, as well as a recipe book for William entitled "Recipes For Holiday Feasts" that she thought he might enjoy.
In front of a small ornate mirror on the living room wall, she fluffed her fair hair and inspected her makeup. She had decided to dress in tunnel clothes as she could tell that Vincent took a special delight in her appearance when she did. She had chosen a soft woolen cable stitch sweater in palest ivory that Mary had knitted for her, along with an ankle length skirt that was a patchwork of many fabrics of autumn colors, that fit her petite form perfectly. She had added a pair of beige suede boots, tiny gold hoop earrings and of course her shining crystal that swayed against the flesh left bare by the sweaters cowl collar.
In the mirrors reflection she was misty eyed and glowing and with a smile of great anticipation, she grabbed her trenchcoat, keys and other parcels and locked the door behind her. As if by command the elevator door opened and she was on her way below!
Contentedly Catherine leaned back in the old fashioned wooden chair at the long trestle table in the Great Hall. The Thanksgiving feast had been all and more than it promised, with its variety of different foods. Though many supplies had come from above, William and his helpers had managed to put it all together in a delicious menu.
Silently she hoped that Vincent would still be at least a little hungry by this evening when they met for dinner. He must have been having the same thoughts, for as she felt the lovely warmth of his thigh pressing against hers beneath the table, he whispered "I'm saving room for our dinner later, Catherine!"
Giving him a secret smile, she nodded her understanding. Just then Mouse leaned in between them, announcing that he was going back for seconds of dessert and could he bring them something? "Thank you, no Mouse..." Vincent replied. "Catherine and I are quite full for now. By the way, you and Jamie did a very good job with the seating arrangements for dinner!"
With a beaming smile Mouse said "Mouse had better idea but Jamie said that old way was best...maybe next year Mouse will set up early before Jamie comes" he said thoughtfully. Vincent groaned quietly and made a mental note to be on hand next year when the time came!
Suddenly there was a musical tapping on a water glass as Father signaled for an announcement. Clearing his throat authoritatively, he said, "May I have your attention...first of all I would like to thank William and his kitchen staff for this wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that they prepared...which of course could not have been possible without the contributions from our generous helpers from above. Our community is built on caring and sharing with others. And on this special day we are even more aware of how we depend on one another.
“We shall remember all of them, as well as one another, in our hearts and in our prayers. And now, let us finish the wonderful desserts that have been provided as we watch the children's rendition of "The First Thanksgiving". Then I would like for all of you to take advantage of this special day by spending time in your favorite, pursuits, for this is a day to be truly thank-ful and it should be spent with those we love!" With his last remark he smiled broadly in Vincent and Catherine’s direction.
Squeezing Vincent’s hand beneath the table, Catherine whispered "Am I imagining things or did we just receive permission for dinner tonight?" "I think perhaps he has decided that there are worse things I could do than to go above for dinner with you, my love!" he said with a teasing smile. "That's because he's not eaten much of my cooking," Catherine said playfully, enjoying Vincent’s light-hearted flirting.
Then holding hands, as lovers do, they watched the tunnel children in lopsided paper Pilgrim hats and Indian headdresses of feathers plucked from an old feather duster as they recited their version of the first Thanksgiving under the watchful eyes of Mary and Rebecca. It was a moment they would remember for some time to come.
Sometime later after clearing away the remains of dinner and a brisk walk in the tunnels, Vincent walked Catherine to her threshold with a promise to meet her a short time later on her balcony. Hurrying to her apartment, Catherine let herself in, sniffing the aroma of turkey and dressing permeat-ing the air. After putting her coat away she made a quick trip to the kitchen to baste the hen and start the potatoes. Soon the potatoes were simmering nicely on the stove along with a sauce pan of giblet gravy.
Taking advantage of the few extra moments, she went to the bedroom to repair her makeup and to change into a velvet lounging outfit. Its soft gold color made her fair hair shimmer and its snugly belted waist accented her slim hips. Carefully she slipped her crystal on again and noted with satisfaction that it rested in the hollow left bare by the discreet neckline of the velvet top. A brief spray of her favorite cologne and she was ready for her dinner guest!
Surveying her carefully laid dinner table, she decided to light the fire. With the aid of the gas jet she soon had a small but cozy fire burn-ing in the fireplace. Then with a twist of a knob she found her favorite radio station that played light, classical--music and soon the strains of "Moonlight Sonata" drifted through the air.
She had decided that no appetizers would be necessary this evening, but she had chilled a small bottle of Chardonnay and two crystal wineglasses in the fridge. After checking the turkey and the gravy, she removed the wine and glasses, uncorked the bottle and brought both on a silver tray to the living room. Just as she'd finished, there was a light tapping on the balcony door. Her dinner guest had arrived!
Crossing the living room quickly, she opened the door. Vincent stood in the doorway for a long moment. Though their relationship had progressed considerably, she knew that stepping through her doorway still did not come easily to him. For a moment she stood there watching him, her heart beating rapidly. Then she held out her hand. His heart melted, along with any con-cern, and taking her hand, he walked through the door, his decision made!
Closing the door behind him but still holding his hand, she drew the curtains against prying eyes and sealed the entrance to their private world. All she could think of at that moment was alone at last. Standing on tiptoe she brushed her cheek against his. "Do you have any idea how much I've been looking forward to this night?" she asked.
"Perhaps almost as much as I, my love," he said softly as he pulled her close to him and stared into her eyes. As she stood in his embrace she un-tied the fastening of his cape and said, "I've made a fire!"
Chuckling softly he replied "Indeed you have, my lovely Catherine!" Her cheeks flamed in the soft glow of the giving room and with a delighted laugh she slipped from his embrace, collected his cape and placed it on a nearby chair. Then taking his hand she led him to the couch near the fireplace where they quickly nestled against the soft cushions.
"I thought perhaps...just a small glass of wine?" she asked. "A small glass," he nodded as Father's warnings sounded in his ears. "But tonight was special," he thought silently..."and a small glass will do no harm!" Pouring a little in each goblet, she returned the bottle to the tray and looked at him over the rim of her glass.
Raising his glass he said "To a wonderful Thanksgiving...one I'd never dared to dream of...and to you my beautiful Catherine...for it is you for which I am most thankful!" Gently he touched his glass to hers as they sealed the toast with a sip of wine.
Then carefully he took both glasses and placed them on the tray. Turn-ing to her he pulled her small body close to his in an embrace that made her dizzy with excitement. Cupping her chin in one golden furred hand, he lowered his mouth to hers...her lips were moist and parted at his touch. His lips at first were shy but as her lips demanded more that quickly changed as he hungrily explored her warm and exciting mouth.
At last, regretfully, they parted...and when at last Catherine could catch her breath she murmured "and to think I almost decided to baste the turkey with a little white wine...!" With a throaty laugh, Vincent replied "No turkey could have had a happier demise!" And with the evening ahead of them, he again covered her mouth with his in a kiss of real Thanksgiving!
© 2003 vikki28209@hotmail.com
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