Night of Masks

SAMHAIN October 31:
Death, the third of the Harvest holidays, the ending of the cycle, death, but with the hope of rebirth. The traditional time for the annual slaughter to ensure food throughout the winter months. Take this time to remember departed ones. In some traditions the end of the year. The separation between this physical world and the spirit world is thin. Halloween customs are a part of this element of death, the thin line at this cycle and remembering the dead and the hopes of rebirth.

Vincent closed the book that he had been reading. He could not seem to keep his excitement down. The one time of the year that he could be with Catherine in the world above was soon coming. He remembered what Brigit had taught him only the year before with his visit with her at the All Hallows Eve party. That every moment is precious - he had plans for Catherine this Halloween. He was going to take her to the Renaissance festival that was to be held in the park. The last night would be Halloween night and that night many people would be wearing such elaborate costumes that he would fit in perfectly. He had left a note for Catherine at her home to meet him that night dressed in the gown she worn only last year, and that he would come and get her. Oh, how he eagerly awaited the day.

Catherine looked at her gown and began to think about the festival she knew that Vincent was going to take her to as she lifted the gown and knew that it just was not what she wanted to wear this year. This year she must have something that would make her look her best. Make herself as beautiful as she possibly could for him, for her love of loves. She looked at the swatch of brocade fabric and smiled, thinking of the seamstress that she had met through her work with the D. A., and the gown that the two of them had come up with. The rich emerald set off her eyes and the design that they had come up with would bring out all her best features. She knew now she had yet to get her hair done and to find the jewelry that would be just that crowning touch. That is when she remembered the necklace that Mouse had given her, the one from the treasure ship that was found in the tunnels. Catherine smiled fully, thinking that would do perfectly. She breathed deeply the sent of the pumpkin spice potpourri that she had out. She loved the smell of the fall. It was so invigorating, earthy and made her think of such things as long walks with the one she loved in the park looking at the changing of the foliage in the trees above. Oh, she could not wait. She would have a full day to walk with Vincent in the sunshine, a full day to look at how the sunlight caught in his golden mane of hair. How noble he would look. How utterly and totally breathtaking he truly was, and he would be on her arm in mere days at the festival. She could hardly contain her excitement any longer.

She looked to her planner and she saw where she had taken that day off. Joe took her for mad for taking Halloween off, but she smiled and told him that she was to be at an important meeting that day and also what other day she could switch it to. This day was too special for her to waste it in the office behind mountains of paperwork.

Vincent looked to Mary as she measured him once more for his new cape. She teased him. "So, you are meeting Catherine at the park, or are you going to pick her up?"

Vincent thought how nice it would be to actually come to Catherine's front door instead of climbing to her balcony. He then answered her. "I had better not risk..."

Mary chided him. "If you can not walk among the top dwellers on Halloween of all nights, then when can you walk among them?"

He chuckled at her words to him. "Very well, it would be nice to visit her properly. To greet her as she has greeted us so many times." The tapping on the pipes today seemed as if it were some sort of symphony of odd song. Nothing was going to change his jovial mood.

Father walked in, relying heavily on his cane. "Ah Vincent, I see you have not left yet."

Vincent looked at Father and smiled. "No, it seems as if I want this cape done Mary has to measure me every few hours."

Mary and Father caught the wry dry wit and both laughed with Vincent. "You have a note from Catherine."

Vincent looked to Mary and she eased back from her task of pinning the proper length of hem. Vincent retrieved the note from Father. He felt that there was more to the note than what his father had mentioned to him. With a slight bow of his head, "Thank you, Father."

Vincent could smell the faint hint of Catherine's perfume on the paper. "Yes, she does." He went to his chair and opened the envelope and took out the note from his beloved. As he pulled out the note a swatch of emerald green brocade fabric fell into his lap. He lifted the fabric up in the candle light of the chamber.

Vincent nodded his head as Mary came closer to hold the piece of fabric. She marveled at the intricate designs woven within the cloth and knew that this color was totally not what Vincent had planned for her to wear. His outfit would have to be changed. Vincent read the verse from William Shakespeare's 118th Sonnet.

Vincent laid his head back on the back of the heavy chair and took in the words that she sent for his eyes only to see. His heart beat ever faster with this rush that she gave to him each time he saw her, was near her, heard her speak with her melodic voice. His heart ached with each parting between them but it made each greeting that much sweeter.

Mary spoke to Vincent at last. "This color will look lovely on Catherine, with her eyes."

Vincent took the cloth that Mary held out to him. Looking at it he smiled, examining the wondrous color of it. "Yes, and her skin." The thought of her cream-like skin, her eyes and those lips of hers stirred something deep within his being. He stood up, placing the note in the book he had been reading and pulled on his old cape.

Catherine was lost in the book when she saw out of the corner of her eye a shadow shift. The fall breeze made the sheers in her open French doors flutter. She breathed in the crisp autumn air as she placed the book down on her bed, slipping from the covers to walk out into the balcony. She looked out at the skyline of this city. It was such a world's difference from the tunnel community below. That is when she saw it in the corner, her rose bush, there was something in it. Caught in its thorny branches was an envelope tied with a bit of string. Walking over and she looked at it. "Vincent?" She asked in a hushed tone.

Vincent watched as she walked from her apartment out onto the balcony in her peach silk gown. How she looked out upon the skyline. He had hoped it would be just enough to see her, but the sight of her in the soft glow compelled him, then she saw the note he had written for her earlier that evening. When she spoke his name it sent chills through him. At last he could not fight to urge to touch her. He walked behind her, silently placing his cape around her almost bare shoulders. "It is far too chilly for you to be dressed so."

Hearing his voice in her ears as he wrapped his cape around her, Catherine closed her eyes and felt his kiss upon her neck. She whispered in his ear. "Oh, I had hoped you might come."

He felt the speeding of her heartbeat as he kissed the main vein of her neck. "We have two more days."

She turned to him, her eyes alight with the stir of her emotions. She giggled now, feeling as if she were a bride about to marry her love. "I feel as if I were a bride about to wed."

He focused his eyes upon her and she looked into his blue eyes also alight. "Oh how I wish that we could, my dearest Catherine. But there is no room in your world for me. And your life is here above."

She laid her head on his chest, breathing deeply the scent of him. "I know, we have been over this many times. But one day we have." She looked up at him with her glorious beauty. "Our day."

He knew then that it was a mistake coming here. She was far too lovely tonight for him to just come and go as if a shadow passing in the night. His voice like the wind caressed her ears. "Do you remember what Brigit taught us last year?"

She smiled nuzzling her face into his chest as he held her. "How could I forget."

"All Hallows Eve, Samhain, where anything is possible and nothing is what it seems."

Catherine went on to reply to him. "It is the night where the separation between this physical world and the spirit world is thin and the bounds of this world are lifted and anything can happen." He kissed the top of her head and said to her. "Maybe we can be wed if only for the night."

She looked up at him to his face. "In my heart of hearts we are already one. You are the complement of me, my other half."

"And you are that of me." He said as he lifted her face and gently kissed her lips.

He walked her into her apartment and saw the copy of 300 Days. He smiled. "I believe I will have to go, or my outfit will not be ready in time."

He slipped the cape from her shoulders and with a slight movement it was about his own and he slid the hood to hide his face. She watched as he left her there and made his way to his world. The world that she longed to be a part of with him.

Catherine curled up in her bed between the covers, closing her eyes to dream her dreams of him.

The next morning Catherine was awoken by the doorbell to her apartment, she slowly made her way out of her dreamy state to see her father, letting him in as she yawned while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I called at your office and they told me that you had taken the next few days off. Cathy, why did you not tell me? Are you ill?"

Catherine just smiled and said, stretching. "No, not by any means. I just have a meeting tomorrow that is very important to me."

Her father's gaze narrowed upon her. "And should I know about this important meeting?"

Catherine just giggled. "Well, maybe one day I can tell you, father. But until then it has to be kept to myself and my meeting." She walked into her kitchen and opened her cabinet and pulled out the coffee tin and began to make them some coffee.

"I just do not understand why would you have a meeting on Halloween? Is this some sort of joke?"

Catherine teased her father with the truth. "Okay, okay you have got me cornered. I am going to the renaissance festival in the park with a friend."

Her father relaxed. "Well that is more like it. So, this friend… Is this friend a male or a female?" He moved closer to her. "I do believe that smile I have seen before but not on you." Catherine tilted her head and received his platonic kiss. "Is there something that you are not telling me, Catherine?"

Catherine just smiled within herself and replied to her father as she began to prepare them brunch. "I am single, and until my prince charming comes and sweeps me off my feet I do not see that changing anytime soon."

Her father shook his head. "I just hate to see you alone Cathy. I mean, your mother and I had such a wonderful marriage. I do so want that for you."

Catherine looked up at her father as she broke the egg into the bowl. "Maybe one day father, but just not today. I don't think Joe would care for me to resign my place at the D. A.'s just yet. He just about had a running fit when I put in for these two days off."

Her father laughed at her words and said to her as she made the quiche. "That Joe was smart for snapping you up as quickly as he did. I just wonder if I had given you more challenges when you worked for me would you still be with my law firm."

She placed the eggshells in the trashcan. "I doubt it. It is good for a child to branch away from the nest. To go on with their life."

Mary beamed with happiness. "You should see the vest that Jamie has created for you."

Jamie came up to Vincent with the vest that she had skillfully created out of this and that. Jamie watched as Vincent's eyes grew wide with surprise at the workmanship she had done. "Astonishing, Jamie, you made this?"

Jamie nodded her head, blushing as she answered. "Mouse helped me find the buttons to put on it. And the fabric was from pieces of cloth that I have been collecting for a while."

Vincent let his hand pass over the patchwork top in the tunnel style of sewing. He bowed his head to them both. "It is lovely, it is just what is needed to complete my outfit. I thank you both."

Mouse handed him a small bag. "Mouse kept for time like this. Mouse want to give to Vincent for Vincent and Catherine's special day."

Vincent accepted the velvet pouch and as Mouse left the chamber with a flash of a smile Vincent watched as Jamie soon was on his heels.

Vincent tilted his head towards Mary. "It is good for them both. Loneliness is the most horrid feeling.." He opened the pouch and found two silver rings that were carved into Celtic braid designs.

Mary smiled. "Mouse has been working on those so long. He hoped one day that you and Catherine would wed and that you would use those bands he toiled so long to create for you and her."

Vincent looked at Mary. "Everyone has done so much for us. I feel a immense debt to you all."

Mary patted his shoulder. "We all love you and Catherine. Never have two people deserved to have a day as you two do. We just want everything to be magical."

Vincent smiled to her as she slipped the bands into the pouch. "Every moment with her is magical."

That day seemed to pass as he helped with what needed to be done in the tunnels. But his thoughts kept returning to Catherine and what was to be.

Catherine went to Linda's seamstress shop to have one last fitting in her gown. As Linda helped her dress in the gown she had to admire her own handiwork. "Never would I have thought that a gown like this would be made by my own hands."

Catherine looked at herself in the full view mirrors and could not help but glow with such warmth and happiness. "Oh you have done such a excellent job, Linda."

Linda looked up at the bodice and saw how snuggly it fit. "That bodice is a little tight."

Catherine looked at how it fit her and remembered reading of the dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth and of Maid Marian in the Robin Hood folk tales. She let her fingers trace around her collarbone thinking of how the dress would look with the necklace that Mouse had found. A smile of total contentment played across her lips. "It is perfect."

As Catherine left Linda's shop she walked over to Bath and Body shop to buy Vincent's favorite scent that she wore from time to time. That day she went home and lit some candles all around and put some relaxing music on. As the first strings of Beethoven's Romance for Violin No. 2 in F major began to play she sank lower into her plush couch with the book that Vincent gave her only days ago to read, '300 days'. She smiled thinking of that night meeting with Brigit O'Donnell only the year before. She continued reading the work that Vincent enjoyed so.

Pascal passed by Vincent's chamber and saw that a candle was still lit. He went to the doorway and cleared his throat to be greeted by Vincent's gaze. "What brings you to my door, Pascal?"

Pascal knew that he was thinking of going to visit Catherine. "I thought you might be awake."

Pascal moved closer into the chamber and looked to the chessboard and looked at the game Vincent had been trying to play against himself. "Do you mind if we play a round?"

Vincent extended his hand out in welcome to his old friend. "It gets tiresome playing alone."

Pascal and Vincent set the pieces of the chessboard in place. "You know, you are very lucky, Vincent."

Vincent looked across the chessboard at Pascal steepling his long strong fingers. "Why do you say that?"

Pascal elaborated, "Look at our lives, by upper world standers we live like paupers, but we have the wealth of friendship, the warmth of happiness and we want for nothing. And you are like a prince with this glorious love that you have with Catherine."

As Pascal lifted his pawn to move to began the game, he stated to Vincent. "You know they say that absence makes the heart grow stronger."

Vincent watched Pascal's move carefully. He had learned to never underestimate his dear friend in chess. "That it does." Pascal watched as Vincent rubbed his furred fingers against each other in preparation to take a piece and move it on the board. Then his voice, clearly disturbed, conveyed his inner feelings. "But it also can make a man mad." As Vincent moved his pawn he stated to Pascal. "I hear they are to have a mock wedding at this festival."

Pascal gave him a half smile as he watched as Vincent unwittingly made his usual first move. "That is what I hear on the pipes."

"A few." Pascal answered and pondered his next move. "Jamie and Mouse are going."

Shocked Vincent was on the edge of his seat. "Father? He is thinking of coming above? But why?"

Pascal made his move with a knowing only he knew. "You will see tomorrow night." He stood up and patted Vincent's strong shoulder. "It is getting late, you should try and sleep."

Vincent said with a tinge of laughter in his voice. "How can I tonight of all nights sleep?"

"Well," Pascal shrugged his shoulders. "You do not want to get tired for your big night with Catherine." And as Pascal moved to leave, "That, and Catherine made all of us promise that we would see to it that you would not visit her tonight. She wants to surprise you tomorrow afternoon when you come to get her."

The night's sleep took so long in coming to the two lovers. Both in their own respective beds, but their minds linked as if they were one soul, one spirit but could not be together.

The morning of All Hallows Eve Catherine woke up in her bed to brilliant sunshine. She got up slowly and greeted her day. She took her time with what had to be done, busying herself till it was time to get ready for her evening, her evening with Vincent.

As she began to take her hair down out of the hot rollers she saw that it was going to give the desired effect she was looking for. A halo of curls framed her face as she brushed them to just as she wanted them. She put on her necklace and looked at herself in the full view mirror. She then looked to her bed and saw her mask that she was to carry with her. The gown worked wonders on her figure. More so now that she had gotten it home and was able to be fully made up. That is when she heard the chimes of the doorbell at her door. Her heart beat a little faster in her chest, she wondered now who could it be? Surely it was not Joe. She had made a point to let him know that there was no possible way that she could make it today of all days into work. She then walked to the door and asked to the panelled wood. "Who is it?"

That is when Vincent answered her with his sultry voice. "An avid admirer of yours."

Catherine's heart was aflight with this sudden rush that he had just given her. Was it him? Was he early or had she lost track of time?

Catherine slowly opened the door, standing there before her was Vincent. She was so shocked to see him standing there at her front doorway in plain sight of the whole world. He was REALLY there before her. Vincent handed her a single white rose. Oh, and how dashing he looked in his fitted black pants, with his high boots, ruffled poet's shirt and cape. Catherine, momentarily in awe of his regal stature, was brought out of it as he leaned over and kissed her lips. So soft, so sweet was the kiss it made her want to weep. As he pulled away he spoke. "I thought that it might be appropriate for me to come to your door."

Catherine blinked, "I am so glad you did." She took his arm and ushered him into her home.

He gazed at her as she turned to see her now in the apartment. "You look enchanting."

Catherine went over to retrieve her veil and mask. "Well, that was the look I was hoping to achieve."

Pulling her slowly to him Vincent helped her place her veil of silk organza on properly. "You have achieved it beyond your wildest dreams." The scent of her tantalized his nostrils. "Rosewater, you wore it tonight?"

Catherine touched his arm and replied as she kissed his lips ever so gently. "Of course." She moved a step away and broke off the long stem to the rose and placed the blossom in her cleavage.

Vincent's eyes focused on that bud as it was positioned in such an ample and delicate area. With a cough he held his hand out to her. "I had thought you might wear it in your hair, but…"

Catherine plucked the rose out from her bodice and started to place it behind one ear. Vincent took it from her fingertips. "No, it looked splendid where you had it before." He made sure there were no thorns to hurt her and then slid it back nestled in her cleavage. They stood there for the moment both wanting more but neither wanting to spoil the nights plans. Vincent moved, extending his arm out to her. "Shall we be off?" Catherine smiled and took his arm and they left her apartment.

These moments, these stolen moments they each savored, letting each sensation linger. The scent of the rich autumn air as they walked along the way to Central Park. Catherine never stood so proud in her life as she did at this moment. She looked at him walking with her in the last rays of autumn sunlight and she was in such astonished joy seeing how it made him almost glow, radiating such a warmth of happiness. As they entered the festival they both saw several people they knew, all was light and gay as the day turned to evening.

The jugglers juggled their objects, the musicians played their music and the two lovers were as if they were in their own world, drunk on the wine of love that they dared to drink freely this night of nights.

As Vincent took the two pewter goblets of warm wassail from the vendor and walked over to the place where Catherine sat under the great oak tree on his cape. She looked so lovely there as the firelight cast its light all around. He handed her the goblet and then was seated with her.

Catherine breathed deeply the rich scent of the fruity mixture. Vincent let his finger go around the goblet once then twice. And as he gazed at Catherine at last, he spoke.

His voice so moving, so compelling, touched Catherine as if she had never know such movement of the soul. She placed her goblet down on the ground. "Sonnet 153-Sonnets from the Portguese. By Elizabeth Barrett Browning." She whispered into his mane of hair as she hugged him. "It was beautiful, thank you." As she pulled away from him their eyes met, locked on each other, all time was lost to them as they sat there together. The world could be falling apart and they would have not minded at all.

Mouse and Jamie as well as the others they knew headed the crowd that grew ever closer.

Just as Vincent was to kiss Catherine's lips in a true lover's kiss the joyous cries of the crowd stole the moment. They both looked around to see that the crowd encircled them. Soon Vincent watched as they crowned Catherine with a crown of fall flowers. And as he watched as they settled the flowers on her head a man dressed as a monk came up to the two of them and began to say in Latin the marriage ritual that the Druids had centuries ago. When Vincent realized all too soon what was happening, it was time for them to exchange their vows. And they did so willingly. To his surprise Father walked up with his cane, handing the pouch that Mouse had given him just the day before to the monk, and the monk then blessed the rings praying over them, at last holding the Bible out to Vincent and he took the ring for Catherine.

"This ring, I give to you as a symbol of my never ending love for you." He slid the band onto the long, supple third finger of her left hand.

Catherine, now moved to tears, touched his face as he kissed her palm. Now she lifted the band that was to be his and mirrored his words to him. "This ring, I give to you as a symbol of my never-ending love for you." Vincent looked to only her as the monk pronounced them wed. As they kissed before the congregation the crowd showered them with flower petals as they were soon swept in a sea of music, and never had they danced so in their lives, both of their hearts so light and carefree this night of nights. As the end of the evening loomed Vincent walked her to her door and as she opened it with her key she looked at him. No words had to be said as he lifted her over with such ease and carried her over the threshold of her home. As he laid her at last upon her bed she looked up at him and whispered. "This night of all nights."

He smiled and at last found his voice. "Yes, it does hold a special magic for us." He held her close, slowly kissing her lips. They lay there at last watching each other just breath, basking in the moment. Catherine was the first to close her eyes to sleep's siren's song. As Vincent stood up at last he kissed her brow and whispered light upon her skin. "One day we will wed and it will be for more than just for a night. It will be forever."

"Ever yours, Ever mine - Forever" Quote from Ludwig Van Beethoven to his Immortal Beloved