Chapter 4 'Claymore, must we?'

Carolyn and Candi walked hand in hand on the path back up toward Gull Cottage, both of them laughing at Jonathan's challenge to race the Captain up the hill. She loved the spirit of camaraderie between the two, and was interested to see if Daniel's competitive nature would kick in, or if he'd let Jonathan actually win. "Candi," she asked, "some how you don't seem all that surprised about everything." "About the Captain? No Mom, that was HUGE, we never imagined he could be real." "You're right, that was something none of us thought could happen until today. I meant, though," she paused, trying to find the right phrase, "I meant. . ." "OH," Candi interrupted, "You mean all that personal stuff, the holding hands, hugging, kissing kinda things?" "Yes," Carolyn said unable to hide a slightly embarrassed smile, "yes, those kind of things." "Oh Mom, I'm not a kid anymore, geez, and even Jonathan knows how you two feel about each other. I mean, it wasn't like we were ever going to talk about it with you, but it was kinda obvious, don't you think?" "If I didn't think so before, I guess I have to now, don't I?" she said giving Candi's shoulder a squeeze.

"So Mom, you can tell me, does this make him like our Dad now?" Candi asked eyes riveted on Carolyn's face. Grabbing her hand and giving it a swing, Carolyn looked down at her daughter. "That's a complicated question Candi. "In one way I suppose he's been a type of Father to you since you knew he was here, don't you think?" Candi paused, thinking, "I guess, but you know Mom, I didn't ever see Dad very much, and he was never like the other Dad's I've met at friends houses." "True, your Dad was never a usual kind of Father, I have to admit," Carolyn said, looking away for a moment. "Hey Mom!" Candi shouted, "Look they made it to the top looks like a tie!" Smiling down at her daughter, Carolyn continued, "And I have to admit, I think you and Jonathan like having the Captain around, so I don't think you would be too upset if we ended up becoming more of a family, would you?" Stopping Candi looked up, "So that's what that ring means," she said holding Carolyn's left hand up between them. "Again, it's complicated Candi," she said, stroking her hair, "but come on, let's catch up to the guys and we'll have a long talk about everything inside, ok?"

"OK, come on Mom, race you!" and she was off. Carolyn stood for a moment, watching her family in front of her. "Not fair, you had a head start!" she shouted as she sprinted to catch up.

As the best athlete of the family, Candi beat her to the porch by a clear margin, but Carolyn made it a spirited match. "See Mom, you need to do more running, I beat you big time!" Candi announced. Sitting on the front steps, beside the Captain and Jonathan she smiled, "I'll want a rematch soon, but I've been pretty busy myself today, don't think you can win every time." She noticed the Captain looking at her grinning, and his suggestive expression made her pause and suddenly explore the steps. "Madam, after such a busy day," he said in a commonplace tone, but she could read all too well his meaning behind his seemingly innocent face, "perhaps you, or all of us should retire for a bit inside where you could put your feet up at least. Clearly there is much to discuss, shall we?" he said holding out his hand to her.

Martha looked up as she heard the bustle at the front door, and called to the group, "All right everyone, no tracking sand and muck through the house, wipe your feet and come wash your hands at least!" The children used to the warning, headed upstairs to wash their hands after scrubbing the sand off their shoes. Carolyn headed to the kitchen sink, and dutifully started washing her hands. Standing close behind her, the Captain reached his arms around her and began scrubbing his own hands. "I had forgotten the feel of washing the salt off your hands," he said quietly aloud. As they lost themselves in the moment, their hands intertwined under the warm water. The awareness of being watched came over both of them, and looking over his shoulder, the Captain chuckled, and tapped her arm, indicating the crowd behind them. Martha, Jonathan and Candi all were standing, staring and if not quite agog, certainly fascinated by the scene of the two cuddling in front of the sink. Drying their hands, the Captain stopped for a moment, "its clear there are many questions to be asked and answered, but let's start with the most important, shall we?" Pausing he looked at Carolyn with a silent question. She made a nearly invisible nod, and suddenly he spun her about and swept her into his arms for a long, soft kiss. Not quite knowing how the family might react, they were startled by the sound of applause. Kissing Carolyn gently on the nose, he spun her about and settled her into one of the kitchen chairs. She watched him bow with great aplomb, as she sat with an intense blush covering her cheeks. Sitting beside her, he smiled at their audience, "Any questions?"

They joined them at the table, still laughing happily. "To continue," Carolyn said, making a playful slap at the Captain's hand still holding her own. "Its true, the Captain and I have cared for each other for a rather long time. And because we never thought there would be any way to be together, it made us," she paused searching for the right expression, "Cranky?" he suggested. "Perhaps, but I was going to say like Scruffy and Sheila, we hid our feelings behind a wall of quarreling. And I'm rather glad to be able to share how we feel, and hopefully we can cease the arguments, at least most of the time."

"So are you human like us, or what?" Jonathan burst out. "Lad, that's quite an excellent question. So let me tell you what I," he stopped suddenly, and nodding toward Carolyn, he corrected himself, "or rather what we know. You've heard me talk of the Spectral Fraternity before?" "Sure" said Jonathan, but both Candi and Martha looked at him with blank faces.

"Very well," he continued, "for those of us surviving on a ghostly plane, there are powers and abilities, but also rules and restrictions. It seems once all of you ceased to be afraid of having a ghost amongst you," "But I was NEVER afraid," Jonathan interrupted. "And neither was your Mother," the Captain added, taking her hand in his own. "That alone began to break what they call a covenant, a major rule that the living should fear ghosts for many good reasons. When all of you accepted me into your family, and sought my companionship, the rule broke further. Several months ago I was warned that only two choices remained, to leave Gull Cottage. . ." Suddenly the quiet kitchen broke into loud objections, "NO!" "Not happening Captain!" "Well, that would be most unfair I think," concluded Martha. Clearing his throat, the Captain waited for the room to quiet. "As I was saying two choices, leave or stay and lose my powers, to be corporeal, or if not human, so close that it would be difficult to tell the difference. I realize I was wrong not to have discussed it with all of you, but that day, I chose to stay, no matter the cost. So now, I ask you all, this is going to be complicated and will require many adjustments, how do you each feel?"

He was surprised as the total silence filling the room, and looked with confusion at Carolyn. "Well, for one," she began, "I'm entirely ready to make this all work for us. What do you think Martha?" Martha looked at the children and back to Mrs. Muir, "I think we cannot understand why you even need to ask. Of course I don't know all that has to happen, has to change, but we've already been a family for a long while, the only difference," she paused and took a long sip of coffee, "would, I assume be in the sleeping arrangements." Carolyn, not quite prepared for that straightforward response in front of the children, stopped, took a considered gulp of her own coffee, and looked a silent question at the Captain. "It's OK," Candi offered, "the Captain can sleep in our room and I can share the big room with Mom, if you want."

Reaching over to pat her shoulder, the Captain smiled, "Candi, that is most generous, but I certainly wouldn't put you out of your room. In fact, I had always assumed it would be your mother who would need to do the sharing, that is if you agree M'dear?" Smiling and gulping a bit at the same time, she looked up, "I had the same assumption, but there are a few steps to accomplish first, surely?"

He looked lovingly at her, held up her hand, and kissed it gently. "And a number of formalities must occur of course, although how we cross those remain to be determined, true? Jonathan," he looked up, "fetch a pen and pad of paper, the only way to get through this is to chart the course." He dashed upstairs, and Martha suddenly noticed the ring on Carolyn's finger. "Looks like a couple of items can already come off the list, am I right?" Smiling, Carolyn held out her hand so Martha could admire the ring. "It was my mother's," the Captain offered, "for the moment, it serves to show my most serious intentions, and while, I admit the legal aspect eludes me this second, my final goal is unwavering," he completed as he grasped her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her ring finger.

Jonathan came sliding into the room, "Here Captain, here you go!" "Many thanks lad," he offered. Looking over at Carolyn, "M'dear, I've seen your handwriting, and as dearly as I care for you, it cannot remain unsaid that your penmanship leaves much to be desired, I think I should take on the role of scribe." She wrinkled her nose, but knew she had no grounds to dispute his opinion, "if you insist Daniel, I suspect it begins with what steps do we take to incorporate you into day to day life again."

"Not where I think the first step must be, but important none the less," he said, dividing the page into columns. "Essential, Legal, Practical," he said aloud as he titled each group. "Let's start with the last, for practical, what needs to happen?" "Well, you'll need the paperwork," Martha offered, "something to say you exist here. Birth certificate at least, if you want a driver's license and maybe even a passport some day. Obviously you can't be the 1800's version of Captain Gregg, who do we say you are?"

"I have spent over 140 years as Daniel Gregg, I certainly don't expect to take on a new name at this point," he blustered. "I know it isn't your favorite idea," Carolyn said quietly, "but why not be a direct descendant of yourself? It would surprise no one to hear Captain Gregg left a child or two in his wake. Why not BE Daniel Gregg, great grandchild of yourself?"

"That would not possible M'dear, or so I've always believed. However, for practical reasons, it may be one very solid idea. While I have no idea on how to achieve this, let's add it to the list." "Clothes," Candi chimed in, "you'll need clothes that look right for now, isn't that right?" "Indeed, I suspect this might be a bit dated," he said, examining the sleeve of his jacket. "Yet that can wait a bit I believe, but let's add it here," he said writing the item down.

"And while we work out the rest, there is really only one thing most essential to me, this day. And that is how to do the right thing, for your mother, for all of you, and I admit, for myself as well." "What do you mean Captain?" Candi asked. "To be a true member of this family, to behave honorably, to be recognized as a new father to the two of you, marriage, a legal union has to be involved. I do not know of any other way to achieve this goal, this," he paused and softly kissed Carolyn's cheek, "greatly desired step."

Smiling, and returning his affection with a kiss of her own, Carolyn said softly, "I do." She held his hand, and looked carefully at him, "You know Daniel, there is just one place where we have to begin." She turned her head, and he all too easily read her expression. The silent dialog continued between the two, their expressions telling the story, 'come on, you know', 'oh no, you can't mean?' followed by a sharply raised eyebrow, 'what else would I mean?' Sighing, he looked around the table, "Claymore. Must we?" he said aloud at last. Nodding, she spoke, "Who else, how else can we begin?"

Releasing a long breath, full of frustration, he stood and walked to the phone. He dialed, and he heard a querulous "Hello?" "Claymore, this is Captain Gregg, we need you at Gull Cottage, now!"

Chapter 5 - coming soon