He wondered if Kristopher had gone to find Catherine. He had a feeling Kris would. Probably to assure her that he wasn’t crazy. Of course coming from Kris it wouldn’t be total commendable. He was sure Catherine thought she was nuts when she realized she was having a conversation with a ghost the first time she spoke to Kris. “But just because she helped him out doesn’t mean she will help me.” Angel thought to himself. Then again she might. From the way Kris spoke of her she was a gentle soul willing to put herself on the line. But would she for a vampire?
Nuala dove headfirst into the Mirror pool. She was there with Corrie, Geoffrey, Kipper, Eric and Samantha. Nuala came to think of them as close friends. Some of them were even closer than her own friends at school.
“I dare you to do a cannonball!” Corrie exclaimed after Nuala executed the perfect dive.
“I shall try.” She said jumping back up on the rock. Poising herself she jumped far away from the rock and curled her legs up to her chest. Landing hard and fast she sent water flying all around.
“Thanks for getting me so wet!” Geoffrey remarked grabbing her around the waist. Pulling her close to him he dunked her under before she had a chance to escape.
“You’re going to get it!” She screamed swimming after him. Talking long fast strokes she caught up with him in no time. Grabbing his shoulder she jumped onto of it and dunked his head before swimming off.
Hoisting herself out of the pool she grabbed a towel and began to dry off.
“So Corrie said you were spending the night.” Geoffrey said swimming to the edge.
“We all are.” Nuala explained sitting down and putting her feet in. She could see that Corrie and Kipper were having their own conversation on the far side of the pool.
“Meet me later by the waterfall.” Geoffrey said whispered in her ear.
Later on Vincent and Catherine said goodnight to Nuala and retreated to his chamber. Getting dressed Catherine looked around the room. It still looked the same as it did when Vincent brought her there thirteen years ago. Laying down she waited for Vincent to crawl into bed beside her. Putting his arms around her he pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek.
“Everything will be fine Catherine.” He said rubbing her shoulders.
Lying in bed Nuala kept her eyes open looking at the clock on the bedside table. 11:00pm. It was still too early. Geoffrey asked her to meet him at 11:30pm. Sighing she looked around Corrie’s room. She liked to collect things from the 60’s. She had beads strung across the entryway to her chamber. A lava lamp was on her bedside table. Old pictures of the Beatles were on her wall.
Looking over at the bed she could see that Corrie was already asleep. She was holding an old stuffed animal that was tattered and torn. Slowly taking off the covers she pulled off the gown she was wearing to reveal a blue sundress. Putting on her sandals and a white sweater she picked up a candle and quietly walked out of the chamber.
Quickly making her way to the waterfall she sat down on the stone bench.
“You came.” Geoffrey said surprised.
“Of course.” Nuala replied smiling at him. “Why did you want me here, now?”
“I wanted to ask you something.” Geoffrey said sitting down next to her.
“What.” She asked expectantly.
“Would you be my girlfriend?” Geoffrey asked taking her hand.
The following morning the Wells family arrived in the dining room for breakfast together. Nuala had run in that morning to tell her mother the good news. Vincent still didn’t know, and Nuala wasn’t sure how to tell him.
“Good morning everyone.” Father said warmly inviting them to sit at the table. Vincent and Catherine sat down together while Nuala made her way to where the other teenagers were sitting.
William set out a beautiful feast that was soon devoured by all. After everyone was finished eating conversations sprung up around the table. Nuala leaned over to Geoffrey and whispered in his ear.
“Come with me tomorrow to watch me compete.” She said.
“You really want me to?” Geoffrey asked quietly.
“Of course I do.” Nuala said grabbing his hand under the table and holding it tightly.
“Even with all your friends who are going to be there, asking who I am.”
“Geoffrey, if we are going to be a couple we have to face those people.” Nuala responded looking at him. “Considering what my parent’s have been through, I’m sure we can presevere as well.”
That evening the Wells family had returned to Catherine’s apartment. Nuala was in her bedroom practicing for the morning while Vincent and Catherine sat on the balcony reading a book together.
“Geoffrey asked Nuala to be his girlfriend.” Catherine remarked after he finished reading a passage.
“I know.” Vincent responded softly.
“How do you feel about it?” Catherine asked.
“I remember teaching Geoffrey literature when he was a child.” Vincent said remembering.
“I remember when Geoffrey came and talked to me after my father died. I never forgot that.” Catherine said wistfully. “It’s hard to believe he’s grown up now and asking our daughter out.”
“I think they will do fine.” Vincent said.
Hearing a knock on the door Catherine told Vincent to stay on the balcony. Walking to the door she answered it tentatively.
“Hello Catherine.” Angel said stepping into the living room.
“What are you doing here?” Catherine asked looking behind her shoulder to make sure Vincent was well hidden.
“Who is this?” Nuala asked coming into the living room. Looking Angel up and down Catherine could tell she was quite intrigued.
“This is a client, Angel. Angel, this is my daughter Nuala.” Catherine said making quick introductions.
“I knew a Nuala once.” Angel said shaking her hand. “Very nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you as well.” Nuala said.
“Don’t you think you should go get ready for the feis tomorrow.” Catherine remarked hoping Nuala wouldn’t stick around.
“You’re an Irish Step Dancer?” Angel asked with interest. “What level?”
“I’m trying to make it to Open.” Nuala responded.
“Do I sense a trace of an accent?”
“Yes. I’m from Ireland. Catherine adopted me when my parent’s were killed in an IRA bombing in Belfast when I was eight.” Nuala explained.
“I’m sorry to hear about that.” Angel replied.
“Well I need to get my things ready for tomorrow and wash my hair so you can curl it later.” Nuala said to Catherine. “Nice meeting you.” She said before walking out of the room.
“So why are you here?” Catherine asked impatiently.
“I just thought I’d stop by and see if you have found anything.”
“Not yet, I gave the name to a co-worker to look up. If she finds anything funny she wouldn’t say anything.” Catherine said still standing at the doorway.
“Could I come in?” Angel asked. “My feet are pretty tired from walking.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Catherine remarked.
“Oh, I know all about him.” Angel said. “Kris told me about Vincent. That’s the reason why I thought you might help me. You wouldn’t be surprised by the unusual.”
“Unusual is one thing, Vincent is another. He is beautiful.” Catherine said wistfully.
“Just please let me come in.” Angel said.
“Okay.” Catherine said relenting stepping away from the door. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No thank you.” Angel said walking in. “Nice apartment.”
“Thank you. We’ve been living here for eight years.” Catherine said going out to the balcony. “Honey, it’s ok, it’s Angel. Appearently Kristopher told him all about you.”
“Oh?” Vincent said a bit surprised. Walking into the living room he could feel Angel looking at him with interest.
“Remarkable.” Angel said quietly. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Vincent said extending his hand. Lightly shaking Angel’s he sat down on the couch.
“So who are you looking for?” Catherine asked walking into the living room with a tray. Three glasses of wine were carefully balanced on it. Passing them out she took one for herself before sitting down.
“His name is Michael Viera. He’s a demon of some sort. Responsible for the murder of a client of mine.” Angel responded with his eyes turned downward.
“Who was this girl?” Catherine asked softly. She could feel his pain as he talked about what happened.
“A friend.” Angel said without offering any more explaination.
“Are you sure this demon is in the city?” Vincent asked. He had been sitting very quietly contemplating what they were discussing.
“He has ties here. That is the only thing I know about him.” Angel explained softly. Finishing his glass of wine he placed it on the tray. “I’m sorry to keep you good people from enjoying your evening. But I can’t find him without help.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Catherine said taking a small sip of wine before setting it down on the table. “I will do a name search on Monday morning and see what I can find.”
“Thank you Catherine.” Angel said getting off the couch. “I need to be leaving now I’m afraid.” Walking to the door he shook Vincent’s hand, then Catherine’s before saying goodbye.
“I wonder what he thought of me.” Vincent asked almost to himself.
“I’m sure your beautiful face was a pleasant change from all the demonic forces he sees everyday.” Catherine said kissing him on the nose.
Walking into the living room Nuala was carrying her purse. “I’m going to the tunnels to meet Corrie. She’s going to help me put up my hair.” Nuala said casually opening the door. “I’ll be home by 9:00.”
Saying goodbye Catherine and Vincent went into the bedroom and onto the terrace. Looking over the city Catherine shook her head.
“It’s hard to believe that we have a teenage daughter.” Catherine remarked as Vincent put his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
In Corrie’s chamber Nuala and she were giggling as they tried to put up Nuala’s hair in rollers.
“I didn’t think this would be so hard.” Corrie said trying to force a piece of hair to wrap around the spongy curlers.
“Just keep trying. They will work.” Nuala said clipping one roller before picking up another.
“So what happened last night? I know you snuck out. You and Geoffrey seemed awfully friendly this morning.” Corrie asked with a knowing smile.
“He asked me to be his girlfriend.” Nuala said with a smile.
“So what did you say?” Corrie asked expectantly.
“Yes, of course.” Nuala said. “He’s even going to the feis tomorrow.”
“That’s so cool Nuala.” Corrie said with a sigh. “I wish Kipper would decide what he is doing.”
“He will eventually Corrie.” Nuala said assuredly. “They always do.”
The next morning Nuala rose with the usual butterflies in her stomach. After warming up with some fast leaps and jumps she got dressed. She wore a pair of bike shorts and a matching bra top. Putting sweats and a tee shirt on over them she sat down at her dressing table and applied her makeup. Tossing her ghillies and hard shoes into her duffle bag she put on a pair of Birkenstocks and grabbed her duffle bag and dress bag before heading into the living room.
“When is Geoffrey coming?” Catherine asked her after she dropped all of her stuff onto the couch.
“In a few minutes.” Nuala replied. “He knows his way up through the building.” Walking into the kitchen she grabbed a tub of yogurt and a spoon. Eating it slowly she could feel the butterflies starting to slow down.
“Are you ok?” Catherine asked looking at her face. Even with all of the makeup she still looked pale.
“I’m fine. I just have the usual butterflies.” Nuala responded. Hearing the doorbell ring she jumped off the chair and ran to the door.
“Hello Nuala, Catherine.” Geoffrey said walking into the apartment.
“HI Geoffrey.” Nuala responded giving him a quick hug. “You look very nice.” She said stepping back. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a polo shirt.
“You look nice too.” He said hesitently. She knew he must think she looks strange with soft spikes in her hair.
Touching them she laughed. “These are the curlers I have to wear to make my hair look good during competition. I don’t take them out until the last possible second.”
“Oh.” Geoffrey said laughing as well. He was beginning to relax.
“We need to be going.” Catherine said grabbing her purse and keys.
“Where’s dad?” Nuala asked picking up her stuff. He always wished her luck before her performances.
“He needed to go Below early this morning. Mouse is working on a new project.” Catherine replied. “He gave me this note to give you before you perform.” She said handing her a small piece of paper.
Placing it in her duffle bag Nuala looked up. “I will read it when I’m getting dressed.” She said.
Walking out the door Geoffrey took her dress bag and put it over his shoulder.
“Thank you.” She said as he reached for her hand. Catherine, watching what Geoffrey was doing, smiled.
