Chapter Two – Still Married and Living Well

"Mother, Jeb and I are going out," Carolyn yells from the foyer. She has just related Jeb fantastic return from death (or at least as much as she knows), and she suddenly has the marvelous idea that she and Jeb need some alone time.

Elizabeth and Jeb come from the Drawing Room. Jeb looks at Carolyn, puzzled by her sudden urge to take a walk at two in the morning, but Carolyn gives him the old "I'll-tell-you-later" look. She shrugs on her overcoat and pulls out her long blond hair. Jeb looks at his mother-in-law, and says, "We'll be back soon."

Elizabeth smiles, and says, "I know. I can still remember how it was those first few months with Paul, Carolyn's father. Always needing to be alone." She seems to snap out of her reverie. "Be safe. Take care of her, Jeb."

Jeb laughs, saying, "I will, Mrs. Stoddard." He pulls on his own coat, and opens the door for his wife. Carolyn gives her mother an encouraging look before stepping out in the darkness. As Jeb shuts the door behind them, he says, "Where are we going, anyway?"

Carolyn thinks for a moment, biting her lip. "The beach," she says, "That way, we'll be alone."

Jeb puts his arm around her as they head toward the narrow path leading to the beach. The wind blows Carolyn's hair asunder. The chill of the night passes through her, causing her to walk closer to her husband. Jeb looks down at his once-again bride. "You all right?"

"Yes," Carolyn says, "Just cold. That's all."

"All right," Jeb says, smiling. He looks up at the night sky, clear enough to see all the stars in every direction. Suddenly, he sees a shooting star, its fiery trail close behind. Silently, he wishes that he and Carolyn will never be separated again.

"What's on your mind, Jeb?" Carolyn asks brightly as they reach the sandy shore.

Jeb looks down into her twinkling violet eyes, like ever-blue seas. "Nothing," he says, pulling her closer into a hug. Even now, after two years, whenever he hugs her, her immaculate hair gets tangled and messy. "Nothing now that I'm back. Now that I have you." He pulls her face toward him, her eyes now serious. Somberly, he kisses her, silhouetted against the raging ocean.


The next morning, Jeb wakes up to a violet sunset, the same color as his beautiful wife's eyes, who lay beside him in their old bed at Collinwood. Knowing it's another day, Jeb stretches and gingerly climbs out of bed, careful not to wake Carolyn; however, her eyes start to slowly open. She mumbles, half asleep, "What time is it?"

"Six o'clock."

Carolyn groans, and lets her head fall back on the pillow as she turns away from him. Recalling last night, Jeb smiles; Carolyn still had on his pajama top. Jeb turns and starts putting on his robe. Sleepily, Carolyn says, "All right, I'm up." As their eyes meet, Carolyn smiles lovingly, and says, "Good morning."

Jeb, also smiling, says, "Good morning, beautiful."

He heads out the door toward the bathroom that they all (except Quentin) had to share. Carolyn pulls her slippers out from under the bed, and walks toward her robe. As she fingers it, she looks in the mirror, conscious of the fact that she's wearing her husband's pajama top instead of her usual figureless nightgown. She glances at her robe, and decides not to put it on – just yet. Jeb walks in the door, his hair combed, his teeth brushed. "If you don't mind, I'll take a shower first."

"First?" Carolyn asks, her smile mischievous.

"Unless you'd rather go first," Jeb says.

Carolyn giggles girlishly, then walks up to him, straining to wrap her arms around his neck. "How about together?"

Jeb laughs uncomfortably, and says, "Oh, no. I'm not about to be read the riot act by your mother when she catches us."

Exasperated, Carolyn scoffs, "If you lock the door, no one will know."

"Yeah, unless she sees us coming out," Jeb says, nervous, "No, Carolyn, I'm not gonna do it."

"Fine!" Carolyn says moodily. "Then why don't we move to the Carriage House?"

Jeb eyes her cautiously. "You gonna move out in your – excuse me, my pajamas?"

"Ahh!" Carolyn screams, as she plops back down on the bed, covering her head with her pillow.

Raising a curious eyebrow, Jeb asks, "So, can I take my shower first?" Carolyn throws her pillow at his head. He ducks, laughing, and leaves for the bathroom.