AN: So, it's been a while – but I didn't forget! I haven't as this has become a small Christmas tradition for me that I like doing. And this is undoubtedly the longest that it has ever taken me to write a story! I think I will do a couple chapters this year before next Christmas and maybe wrap it up then? If you would like me to continue posting this story at Christmas please let me know as I'm sure I could continue this for a little while.
As always, thanks for reading, and you have my best wishes for a very Happy Holiday Season, and a glorious 2017!
Oh, and I will be putting a new website up soon, sometime after the holidays called CairnMoon. It will have cool dog videos and an original novel by me (big surprise there!) called Once in a Blue Moon. It's set in Ireland and has ghosts, and romance and all sorts of good things (paranormal but not horror).
Reviews are always welcome and thanks for reading.
Magic of Christmas
By Dark Poltergeist
The Wedding
It was early, far too early for the household to be up at four o'clock in the morning. Daniel knew this and was trying to soak up the calm and solitude, the feeling of peace that blanketed his house while his family slept through the night, for once they woke the day ahead would be like no other he had ever experienced because he was getting married today.
He sat in the dark in the kitchen sipping from a cup of coffee, vaguely aware of its strong taste because as it had been since his death so many things the living take for granted were muted for him. It caused him to wonder about the course of action that he was about to take, it was the action that a living man would take in pursuit of his lady love, but perhaps not the proper action for a lovesick ghost?
He stared into the darkness as he continued to ponder his thoughts.
He hadn't been among the living for quite some time, but somehow, despite that, he had found love long after his life had ended. Love with the most amazing Carolyn Muir, the beautiful, exquisite woman who held his heart in her hands. And with her he had inherited her most wonderful children, Jonathan and Candace. He adored them both and couldn't be prouder to be accepted by them as their father.
But was it right?
He wasn't getting cold feet, exactly. It's just that the weight of his decision was resting heavily on his broad shoulders early this morning and it led him to question his decision. He loved Carolyn and the children, that fact was not in question. And if he were a normal man the worse that he would be experiencing would be a small case of nerves as he was sure that everyone experienced that on their wedding day. But his morals ached at the way things were happening.
The fact that he was a real man for two nights at the last Christmas was nothing short of a miracle for which he was eternally grateful, but in his overpowering rush of emotions, feelings of love for his beloved Carolyn, he had acted on his need, gave in to his lust and begat a child with her. It was unexpected to say the least. When he was told he would be real again, he hadn't taken it to mean in all matters, clearly he should have considered that before he had bedded his love.
Their time together was so sweet, it surpassed even his wildest dreams, and he had many more fantasies about the two of them than he was willing to admit to Carolyn. He had dreamt of them together almost since the day she had moved into Gull cottage with her family, but it wasn't something that a man admitted to a lady of her stature.
He felt at odds with himself. He was both appalled at his behavior and grateful at the result of their tryst. He knew that Carolyn wanted their intimacies as much as he did and had surprised him with her enthusiasm in such matters. He had to concede that women knowing their own minds and being allowed to express their wants and desires in all matters was not a bad thing at all. It still took some getting used to on his part, but he was doing better dealing with modern women, at least one woman in particular.
But a child? They had made a child together?
A smile he couldn't restrain touched the corners of his mouth.
A child. Carolyn's child His child. It was positively overwhelming and truly a miracle of astounding proportions. It simultaneously warmed his emotions and scared him to death. He truly had no idea how to be a husband or a father, he had never taken on that challenge in his lifetime, how could he possibly manage it now?
He rubbed his jaw and grimaced, so deep in thought that he didn't hear the sound of footsteps until the lights came on in the kitchen and he saw Martha in her bathrobe blinking at him as her eyes adjusted to the sudden light.
"Captain? I thought I heard someone out here."
"How could you hear me if I was being utterly silent?"
"Maybe I heard you thinking then," Martha muttered at his scowl. "Am I disturbing you?"
"No, my apologies if I seem a bit surly."
"A bit?" Martha turned a baleful eye on him. "What's eating you, Captain? I thought you'd be ecstatic given that today is your wedding day."
The Captain frowned and rubbed his jaw again.
"That's not a good look." Martha poured herself some coffee and took the seat across from him. "All right, I'm here. So talk."
"Talk?"
"Yeah, you look like you need to and better now than before Carolyn's awake. I won't have you ruining her day. Are we clear?"
"Crystal." He scowled at the older woman who patiently waited as she fixed her coffee.
"Well? Going to tell me what has you so worked up?"
The Captain sighed. "Very well. It's just that I find myself at somewhat of a loss."
"What kind of loss?"
"Martha, I have never been a husband or father before and I am concerned that I may not be…well…good enough."
Martha stared at him and then blinked a couple of times. "Am I hearing you right? The ever confident, sometime arrogant Captain Daniel Gregg is unsure of himself?"
"Not completely," he blustered.
Martha gave him a knowing smile. "Captain, it's fine, really. I shouldn't tell you this because your ego is large enough as it is, but I have great faith in you."
"But I've never been a husband. What if I do it wrong? I've never tied myself to one woman."
"Is that a problem?" Martha said in a deceptively calm voice.
"No, of course not. I love Carolyn with all of my heart."
"Then?"
"I suppose your right. I do plan to be the best husband I can be."
"There you go, that's better."
"But what kind of father will I be?"
Martha laughed. "That one's easy."
He gave her a puzzled look.
"All you have to do is look at Jonathan and Candy, remember how much they love you and how good you are with them. That's the kind of father that you already are."
"I do love them, they are very special children." He smiled, warming to the thought. "Yes, I think I can do this."
"Of course you can."
"It's just that I was worried about the baby."
"Baby?" Martha's sharp eyes narrowed on his face and brave man that he was, he found himself swallowing convulsively. "Care to explain that?"
"It is not my place to do so."
"Oh, I think it is. You've started, now finish. I can keep a secret, but if you don't let me know what it is I may be forced to go to Carolyn. And your statement would explain a few things." Martha had a thoughtful look on her face.
"Such as?"
"Such as the fact she's always tired now, her sensitivity to certain smells, and the fact that she has been throwing up from time to time when I've called her to breakfast. Yes, it would explain a great deal." Martha was watching him like a hawk. "She's pregnant?"
Slowly, he nodded and watched Martha, gauging her reaction. She was quiet long enough that he started to get nervous, and without thinking tugged on his ear.
"I wasn't here for Christmas but they told me that you were real. Flesh and blood." He sharp eyes raked over him in appraisal. "I thought that meant that you were corporeal, not…" she shrugged.
"Believe me Martha, I thought the same thing until I found I could…well…raise the mast as it were."
"And then you two couldn't help yourselves."
He shrugged helplessly.
"Well, I can't say that I'm surprised knowing how the two of you two feel about each other. But I would have expected you to be more careful." She glared at him.
"I had no idea that real meant, well, real. That I could…that I was capable of…I mean, in my day, when I was alive I had no doubts about my virility…"
"No children, right?"
"No children. I was careful."
"Until Christmas."
"Yes," he sighed, "until Christmas." Then he looked at Martha again and felt the smile slowly spread across his face.
"You're happy about it?" She stirred her coffee with renewed vigor.
"Perhaps I shouldn't be given the circumstances, but yes, I am. I am shocked, stunned, and simultaneously happy."
They stared at each other and fell into a shared quietness for a while.
"She loves you, you know."
"And I love her."
"Do you promise to take care of her? And the children?"
"Always. I will protect them with my life, err, so to speak."
Martha smiled at that. "Okay. But if you mess up you'll have to answer to me."
"Duly noted." He stood up and leaned over Martha stopping to kiss her cheek. "Thank you for your blessing, my lovely lady."
Despite her best intentions, Martha blushed, charmed by his words
"Maybe you just should have went to Vegas," Martha muttered.
"Vegas?"
"Yes, it's a city in Nevada, people get married there all the time. If you could manage corporeal and had some fake ID I bet no one would know the difference."
The Captain gave her a puzzled look.
"Never mind. Just go."
"Martha?"
"Get out of here, you can't see Carolyn before the wedding."
"Of course. Call me when you need me."
"You're dressing up?"
"Of course. I will be in my formal military attire."
"You look good in that, Carolyn will be pleased.'
"I hope so."
"Go on, Captain. Carolyn will be ready for you."
"And I for her. Until later, dear Lady." The Captain disappeared leaving Martha alone in the kitchen, shaking her head at the unlikely events that were to happen today, but somehow she couldn't dismiss the smile that had appeared on her face.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
It was quiet, Carolyn liked it when the house was still like this, when the darkness of the night wrapped itself around the house, shrouding it safely within its grasp. She often found the stillness comforting, calming to her soul. And at the moment, she felt in need of some calming thoughts.
Today was her wedding day, and though she knew it wasn't official, or perhaps legal was a better term it still felt like a real wedding to her. It was as close to a real wedding as she and Daniel could ever share and so, she supposed to them, that it was indeed real.
She loved him, there was not a single grain of doubt in her heart about her feelings for Daniel. Yet, her mind still raised doubts within her, reminding her that he was not real, that he was an illusion. The spirit of a man that had built this house, not a man of the real world, her world. That was true enough but Daniel stirred emotions and passions within her that no other man had ever been able to do, no man had ever loved her as much, and in her reality he was simply the other half of her.
And Christmas had been a miracle, to be with him as she had always longed to be evoked such powerful feelings within her that they were at times both frightening and supremely satisfying. And to lie in his arms, to wake up with him next to her, to feel the warmth of his body as it curled around her was a simple pleasure that she treasured. It had been short lived but a most welcome respite. She was grateful for the time they had shared together, but sad that it was so short. Neither of them had imagined that Daniel was capable of fathering a child, the thought had never crossed their minds, but here they were about to be married and then parents in a few months.
How could life have gotten so strange that she thought it was normal to marry him and to have his child?
Carolyn sighed and sat up in bed, needing some reassurance from her troubled thoughts.
"Daniel? Daniel, can you hear me?"
The room was silent for only a few seconds more before it was filled by a familiar voice that comforted her with its familiarity. "I can always hear you, my love."
"Where are you?"
"Nearby."
"Can you come here?"
"Alas, no. I cannot see you until we are to be married."
"So you aren't watching me?"
"Of course not, my Love." He paused. "What can I do or you?"
"I just needed to hear your voice, to know that this is real, that we really are getting married."
"We are, in only a few hours." He paused and when he spoke again she could hear the anxiety in his voice. "You aren't having second thoughts, are you?"
"No, never."
"Good, I'm glad. Not to cut this short, my dear, but I should go. Get some more sleep as you'll have to get up early enough as it is."
"Thank you, Daniel," she whispered and closed her eyes again.
"Sleep, my love, morning will come soon enough," he said and she suddenly felt relaxed and comforted and snuggled deeper into the covers her eyes closing of their own accord.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The reflection in the mirror was better than Carolyn expected. She wanted to be beautiful, to astonish Daniel and please him with her appearance on this special day.
Her make up was subtle but applied with a masterful touch, mascara and a pale green eye shadow that accented her sparkling green eyes. Her foundation was applied lightly and enhanced the beauty of her skin which glowed with a healthy sheen, and the slight blush on her cheeks was natural, she saw no reason to enhance it. She inspected her face again, and frowned, she was sure she had overlooked something.
She looked over in surprise as Martha entered the room, dressed in a navy blue top and skirt, looking very nice in a motherly sort of way. She stopped and regarded Carolyn with a shake of her head.
"Carolyn, you aren't ready yet?"
Carolyn shook her head.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"Then why aren't you dressed?" She frowned at Carolyn who was still in her under garments.
"I need to look perfect," she said and gave Martha a pleading look. "Will you help me?"
"Oh, honey, don't you know that you don't have to be perfect? You could show up in a gunny sack and the Captain would think you're the most beautiful woman in the world."
"Really?"
"Really. You know that. Why the nerves?"
"Oh, Martha, I don't know. I've had butterflies all day."
Martha gave her gauging look. "I thought this marriage was mostly for the kids, to show them how much you love each other and that you want to be married since it can't be official."
"That's what it's supposed to be, that's what we agreed to, but…"
"But?"
"It's so much more," she whispered.
"It's the wedding you've always wanted, isn't it?"
Carolyn closed her eyes and nodded, as she tried very hard not to cry. "It's not official, but it means…everything to me."
"Oh, honey," Martha stepped closer and enfolded Carolyn within a comforting embrace as she cried against her.
"This is so silly," she sniffed wiping her eyes. "Now I've ruined my makeup."
Martha studied her with serious eyes. "You love him this much?"
Carolyn nodded.
"Then you should know, it's the same for him." Martha chuckled. "Leave it to you to not only snare a man that never believed in marriage, but a spirit that shouldn't be here on this earth. I think you are magic."
"No, Martha, not magic, just very much in love."
"Then I don't have to ask if you're sure?"
"That has never been a question, it's only the state of his…being that has kept us apart."
"Apparently not always." Martha gave her a knowing look.
Startled, Carolyn regarded her friend. "What do you know?"
"Well I suspected something but couldn't understand how it could possibly be true. I mean, I know you haven't seen anyone but the Captain for the last couple of years, that he ruined you for any other man, but he's a ghost, a spirit, so how in the hell could he get you pregnant?"
"Martha!" Carolyn covered her mouth with her hand and tried to appear shocked.
"Oh, don't give me that. I've seen how you too look at each other from the first moment you met. If he had been real it wouldn't have taken this long."
"Martha!"
"You're not shocked so stop pretending that you are. You know it's true."
Carolyn retreated into silence, but a smile touched the corner of her mouth.
"And I was gone last Christmas, so I didn't know the particulars except for what you and the children told me about his Christmas Miracle." She grinned at the younger woman. "It turned out he was a bit more real than anyone gave him credit for, wasn't he?"
Carolyn bit her lip and finally laughed. "Yes he was." She ghosted her hand over her abdomen.
"Are you all right, Carolyn? Can you handle this?"
When she looked up at Martha, the smile on her face was radiant, and that was an answer in itself.
"All right, then. Let me help you get ready for your wedding, Carolyn. You have a very impatient Captain waiting for you downstairs."
"Thank you Martha that would be lovely." The radiant smile was back and it was infectious. Martha grinned back at Carolyn, pleased that she had found true love.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The Captain paced back and forth, forth and back on the front porch of Gull Cottage, trying to calm himself on this, the most important day of his existence. Claymore was running late and it was irritating the spirit to no end. If he didn't get his miserable, skinny self up to Gull Cottage in the next five minutes he would go and roust the lackluster excuse for a man himself.
He was somewhat mollified a few minutes later when Claymore's car rattled up to the gateway of Gull Cottage, heaved a weary car sigh, and stopped. Claymore, awkward in all things, got out of the car and nearly tripped himself, falling against the car in his haste. He made a sound of something, Daniel couldn't exactly tell what, looked around to make sure no one had witnessed his mistake, and straightened himself up, smoothing his dress jacket. Then, packet of documents in hand, he marched up the walk of Gull Cottage but stopped abruptly when he saw the Captain standing up at the top of the stairs, hands on hips, glowering at him.
"Claymore!"
"Captain?" Claymore quivered under his great Uncle's watchful eye.
"You're late!"
"I am not!" He huffed. "You said One O'clock and it's…" Claymore looked at his watch and saw the actual time and he swallowed convulsively, "…it's one thirty." He met the Captain's baleful gaze. "Sorry?"
"Hmm. I suppose that will have to do. Very well. Stop dawdling and get in here," the Captain opened the door with a twitch of his fingers and gestured for Claymore to enter.
The skinny man sidled past the Captain into the living room that was decked out in a wide array of wedding decorations. Crepe paper hung from various locations on the ceiling, there was a wide and tasteful variety of flowers, ranging from fresh colorful lilies to dark red roses, all of it was done with love and care for the day and made the room more than special.
"Ohh, very nice," Claymore commented taking it all in.
"Yes, Martha took a great amount of care getting this all in order. I think she did a spectacular job."
Wanting to please the formidable spirit, Claymore nodded his agreement. "Very, very nice." He wandered about the room. "Umm, Captain? Where is everyone? That is, I mean, you are still…getting married?"
"Of course, we told you why you were called here."
Claymore grimaced and steeled himself for what he was about to say. "Do you really think that's such a good idea?"
"You are questioning my judgement?" The Captain arched an eyebrow at him.
"No, no, not that. It's just that this marriage is…unusual."
"And?"
"Well…well…I'm not sure you should do it!" Claymore drew up his courage and stared at the Captain, ignoring his shaking hand which rested against his thigh.
The Captain studied his Great Nephew with surprise and then frowned at him. "It's not a legally binding wedding anyway because as you know I cannot be official."
"Because you're dead?"
"Yes, you Ninny, of course it's because I'm a spirit! If I were mortal I would have married Carolyn long ago."
"You love her?" Claymore seemed astounded.
"Of course I love her."
"But you're a ghost."
"That, my dear boy, was established some time ago."
"Ghosts aren't supposed to love."
"Says who?" The Captain crossed his arms in front of him and scowled at Claymore, who was trying to puzzle out the words of the ghost. Such a possibility made no sense to him.
They were interrupted by the sound of running feet and the appearance of Candy and Jonathan, the Maid of Honor and Best Man for the day's big event. Jonathan was dressed in a boy's tuxedo and his face shone happily, and Candy had deemed it appropriate to wear a lovely pink dress with a pleated skirt that wasn't too 'girly' as per her specifications.
"My, my, you two look amazingly special! Jonathan you are quite the handsome young man, and Candy, dear Candy, you are almost as beautiful as your mother."
"Almost?" Candy asked, a smile on her face.
"Well I'm marrying your mother today, I can hardly say you are as beautiful as her, can I?" the Captain gave Candy a smile full of love for the girl that he thought of as his own daughter.
"I guess you're right," she agreed smiling back at him.
"Of course he's right, don't be dumb!" Jonathan said with an eye roll. "We have a question for you, Captain."
"And what would that be, dear boy?" He ruffled the boy's hair in affection.
"You shouldn't have done that, now he's all messed up again," Candy scolded the Captain who just smiled at her fondly.
Jonathan grinned up at his hero.
"Children, what would you ask of me?"
"Well, we were wondering…" Candy scrunched up her face and looked at the Captain.
"..Wondering?" He asked gently.
"Yeah, wondering how you and Mom can be married. You're a ghost!" Jonathan said bluntly.
"Hmmm." The Captain rubbed his chin. "We are having this ceremony so that we can be as married as it is possible for us to be."
"But it won't be official?" Candy said sadly.
"Oh, heavens, no!" Claymore interjected and the Captain scowled at him.
Daniel Gregg knelt down so that he was at eye level with the children and he opened up his arms to them. "Come here."
The children obediently ran into his arms where he held them as he looked from one to the other. "You both know that I love you, right?"
"Right," chorused the children.
"And that if I were still human I would legally marry your mother and then adopt you as my own children."
"You would?" Candy seemed surprised as her face opened into an all-encompassing smile.
"Of course he would, he loves us!" Jonathan scolded his sister.
"But, I cannot because I am a spirit. So we are still a family, and we are doing the best we can by getting married this way. Although the town will not know, and the legal system will not know, we will know and that will be enough." The Captain tucked a stray lock of blonde hair behind Candy's ear, and looked over at Jonathan who grinned at him. "Will you accept that, children?"
"Yup," Jonathan said.
"Of course," Candy agreed. "You two love each other and we know that you love us. It's very romantic." Candy's voice suddenly became very dreamy.
"Yuk," Jonathan said and scooted out of the Captain's arms and away from his sister.
"It's true," Candy said. "He's a ghost and he loves Mom, and she loves him." She smiled at the Captain seeming older than her years. "Very romantic."
"Well, then, thank you, Candy. I think." He gently pushed her off his lap and straightened up his formal military jacket, and was somewhat disturbed as Candy continued to regard him with a thoughtful expression?"
"Do you have another question, my girl?"
"Kind of."
"Go ahead."
"Well…" she dropped her eyes and looked away from the Captain as she continued to talk. "If Mom is marrying you…she should be loved."
"But she is loved, I love her very much," the Captain said confused and glanced over at Claymore who was suddenly blushing.
"I think she means…well…you know…loved," he stammered.
The Captain opened and shut his mouth remaining silent. Was Candy actually asking about their physical love life in her young way? He gave her a startled look and for just a moment, Candy met her gaze before looking away with a blush. The Captain cleared his throat
"Well, Candy, let me assure you that your mother and I have talked about everything."
"And?" Candy looked up with hopeful eyes.
"And she understands my limitations and feels we can make everything work out between us."
"So you can love her?" Candy breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"In my way, yes. She understands that." Candy nodded and stepped away to start a conversation with Jonathan while the Captain sought to get his discomfort under control. He was certainly not used to it and knew that Carolyn had had general conversations with the children about the role of sex between men and women but it would seem that more conversation was needed with them, especially Candy as she was coming of an age where these questions were natural. The idea of such a conversation with a girl who was turning into a young woman before his eyes would never had occurred to him before he met Carolyn Muir. He would have to add that to his list of things to learn in the way of family life.
He looked up from his thoughts just in time to see an unexpected figure materialize just inside the doorway of Gull Cottage, and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Saint Nicolas had for some reason deemed to visit them on the day of his wedding to Carolyn Muir. The friendly figure waved a hand in greeting and made noise like any living person would as he stomped his feet and cleared his throat.
"Hello, hello!" he said and cheerfully walked into the room. He was tall, with a thin face and a close cropped white beard. He wore a long white robe with golden designs stitched on the front of it that ran down to his chest. The outer covering was a bright red robe edged with white fur that looked very warm.
The children looked at each other and grinned in excitement.
"Santa Clause?" Jonathan asked.
"No, though I have often been depicted as such."
"You're Saint Nicolas," Candy whispered. "You came to visit the Captain on Christmas. You gave us the Christmas Miracle!"
"Miracle?" He sighed. "I guess that depends on your perspective."
"It was to us!" Jonathan piped up. "You made the Captain a real man for Christmas."
"More real than you told me," Daniel muttered to St. Nick who offered him a knowing smile.
"It was about helping some good people who needed some assistance."
Claymore leaned against the railing his expression somewhere between stunned, frightened, and exasperated. "I knew it, nothing is ever normal around here," he muttered.
"That is a truer statement than you know," Nick acknowledged. "Now where's the beautiful bride?"
"I can't see her until the ceremony and Claymore is here to marry us," Daniel frowned. "Surely you know that?"
Saint Nicolas nodded towards Claymore who still stood in the corner, watching him warily. "If you don't mind, young sir, I'd like to take on that responsibility?"
"You? But why?"
"Because I have a bit more pull than you," the older man said in a patient voice. "Daniel, will you permit me to marry you and your bride?"
"I don't understand," he said as the children gathered closer to hear the details.
"Why don't I explain it to all of you at the same time? Can you ask her to come down?"
Daniel studied the man before him and could not honestly find a reason to deny his request. The being had given all of them a Christmas miracle in the form of his being a real man for a short time, and asked for only good things in return.
"All right, give me a few moments," the Captain agreed and disappeared with a nod to the group. He reappeared a minute later and nodded to them. "She and Martha will be down shortly, she wants to meet you and thank you for your gift to us."
A wide smile spread across her face. "I'm glad that she was happy."
A few moments later Carolyn, dressed in a lovely laced ivory dress, simple yet elegant that stopped just past her knees, a lovely cameo adorning her neck, her shorter blonde hair subtly but tastefully done, the longer back of it falling against her neck.
Daniel's heart caught in his throat as he stared at her, once again thanking his lucky stars that even after his life had passed he had the fortune of meeting this woman and falling in love with her. "Carolyn, there are not enough complimentary words in the English language to describe your beauty and elegance on this most amazing of days for us."
"Daniel, thank you," Carolyn demurred, a slight blush coloring her face as she gave him a loving look and descended down the stairs. She came to stand in front of the older man who watched her with a pleasant smile on his face. "You must be Saint Nicolas."
"The one and only," he agreed.
She reached out and took one of her hands in his and squeezed it between her two. "There are no words to thank you for what you did for Daniel, for me, and for our family. You gave us a gift that we all thought was impossible."
"It was my pleasure, Miss Carolyn."
"But why did you do it? In order to do that you must be very powerful, why would you take time to help us when you must have bigger problems to deal with?"
"Always the probing questions? Must come from being an investigative writer." He nodded and addressed her. "The world is connected in ways that you and even Daniel is not aware of. That includes both the physical and spiritual plane plus others that you are not aware of. Every single good deed, good wishes, good outcome sends ripples of positivity through all the worlds and realms of being. And It doesn't matter how big or how small the deed. It is the same for evil deeds, of course."
"So you spend your time doing good deeds?"
"Essentially yes. And to that end I need helpers." He nodded at Daniel.
"You signed on to be his helper?" Carolyn smiled as the puzzle pieces fell in place with Daniel's nod.
"That makes you Santa's helper," Candy said, the smile spreading across her face.
The family laughed at the thought of the formidable Captain being Santa's helper and he chafed under their scrutiny.
"That's cool, Captain!" Jonathan reached up and patted the Captain as high on his back as he could. "That's a great job!"
He turned a glare on Claymore who was tittering in the corner and about to speak when the Captain held up a hand to silence him.
"Yes, I agreed to it. I will assist Saint Nicolas as he deems it so."
"Santa's little helper? Who would have thought such a thing?" Martha crossed her arms in front of her and watched the Captain in delight as he frowned at her.
Saint Nicolas watched the family interchange with a happy smile on his face, and then cleared his throat to interrupt them. "Now then, if I may speak with all of you?"
"You have our attention," Daniel said as the family quieted and they all looked over at St. Nicolas.
"I have made this visit because I am aware of your impending nuptials as well as the fact that they are being done as a gesture of love as you can't make it official." He watched as Daniel and Carolyn nodded. "With no offense to the young man you have chosen to perform the ceremony," he nodded at Claymore.
"None taken," Claymore said.
"…I can make it all official for you if that is what you desire."
"How is that possible?" the Captain asked.
"I am beyond the mortal realm as you know, Daniel. A great many things are possible with me."
"So you could truly marry us?" Carolyn asked, gazing at Nicolas in wonder.
"I can. All the paperwork would be legal and binding according to your culture's requirements. Daniel would have the proper ID to convince people that he is a living person."
"But how would we explain him?" Martha asked.
"That would be entirely up to you. I can't do everything for you."
"No, of course not," Daniel said but he was watching Carolyn. "My dear, would you like this to be real? Do you want to be married to me in your world?"
"What do you think? Why do you think I agreed to this? I love you and nothing would make me happier than truly being married to you."
"How will we explain it?"
"We'll find a way. Oh." She seemed distressed. "I wasn't expecting this, I don't have a ring for you."
"If I may," Saint Nicolas interrupted, and reaching in his pocket pulled out a pair of perfectly matched Celtic rings. "I know you have a ring for your intended, Daniel, but I think these will be perfect for you."
"Why?"
"They are magic for lack of a better term."
"Magic? How?" Carolyn smiled at the thought.
"In ways that I cannot tell you yet. But they are binding. If you choose to let me perform the ceremony you will be bound to one another with all of the good and bad that entails."
"Forever?" Carolyn asked looking at Daniel with searching eyes. "I can stand forever with you."
"Carolyn, are you sure? Forever is a very long time."
"It will be challenging at times, but I think I can manage. What about you?"
"Forever with you will never be enough time," he said in a rumbling baritone voice that sent those lovely chills down her spine.
"Then we are in accord?" Saint Nicolas asked, a pleased smile on his face.
With one last searching look to Carolyn who happily nodded her assent he turned to the older man. "We are in accord. We would be honored if you would marry us."
"Excellent, follow me, please."
Quietly, and with curiosity they followed Saint Nicolas into the raw March weather just outside their door. The somewhat icy, slushy snow had been transformed into a lovely soft snow that was still falling from the sky. The porch was adorned with Martha's indoor decorations which somehow seemed brighter and more colorful outside in the silent snowfall.
"It's beautiful!" Candy said and everyone nodded.
A small arch stood in the middle of the yard, a line of candles on either side of the arch leading up to it.
"Not to criticize, but won't the candles go out?" Claymore asked pointing at them.
"No, my boy, magic."
"Oh," was all that Claymore could manage as he regarded the candles with curiosity.
"Miss Carolyn, Daniel, if you will follow me?" Saint Nicolas led them to stand just in front of the archway which flowed with pine and mistletoe.
"Mistletoe?" Carolyn whispered to Daniel.
"It represents fertility among other things, Miss Carolyn, but you two have already taken care of that, haven't you?" Nicolas smiled over his shoulder at them and chuckled a bit at their discomfort. "In any event it is an herb with positive enhancements. Now please stand in front of me, that's right. Just like that. Best man on Daniel's right, Matron of honor on Miss Carolyn's left, and the two witnesses just behind them. Let the children hang onto the rings until they are needed," he instructed and handed the proper ring to each of the children.
Saint Nicolas regarded them all, pleased by the family he saw in front of them, they were unique and very special and he sensed great things in all of their futures. "Let us begin," he said. "Please, Daniel and Miss Carolyn, join hands and regard one another with the love you feel for one another."
Daniel took Carolyn's hand in his and looked deep into her green eyes, letting his all-encompassing love for her flow through him so that she, and everyone present could see his true feelings for this incredible woman in his life.
Carolyn took a big breath, unaccustomed to intentionally showing her deep feelings for her beloved Captain to others, but she blinked and allowed herself to stare into his deep blue eyes, seeing such a deep love that it almost caused her to cry.
"Miss Carolyn, do you wish to wed this man? Knowing what you do of him, knowing that you will be forever bound to him?"
"Yes, I do."
"Daniel Gregg, do you wish to wed this woman? Knowing what you do of her, knowing that you will be forever bound to her?"
"I do. For eternity."
Carolyn saw the love for her in his eyes, and nodded, tears beginning to escape from her eyes.
"Then speak to one another of what is in your heart. Miss Carolyn, you go first."
Carolyn wiped away a tear, and stared into his clear blue eyes, so filled with love for her. "Daniel, when I moved into Gull Cottage, I had very little. I had my children, my dog, and my independence from my family. I knew life would be difficult but I was willing to go my own way. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe in ghosts, or believe that one could become such a big part of my life that I considered it normal." She reached out and rested her hand on his cheek. "But what I found was not only a man that I couldn't live without, but my soulmate. A man who loves me and my children with every fiber of his being, and will do whatever is needed to keep us safe as well. I love you and will always love you."
They stared at each other for a few moments until Daniel cleared his throat and briefly looked at Saint Nicolas. "Is it now my turn to speak?"
"Yes, Daniel it is."
The Captain leaned his forehead in against Carolyn's and took a deep breath before pulling away from her again to look into her deep eyes of emerald green. "Carolyn, I hardly know where to begin. Though I had been with many women over the course of my life, and cared for many of them, I never understood the nature of love, the possible depth of love until I met you. An exasperating, intelligent, clever woman who more than stood up to me despite my impressive nature and even ordered me out of my own home!" He gave her a fond smile. "I think that was the moment I began to fall in love with you. You are my equal in so many ways, and beyond me in so many others, that I cannot imagine why you fell in love with a spirit such as I." He took her hand and squeezed it. "I love you with all of my heart, and my soul, such that it is, and will always love you and do my best to protect you and the children. You are everything to me and the only woman I would ever want to spend eternity with." He bowed his head overcome by his emotions.
The couple bent their heads together, trying to not cry, unaware that the rest of the party was so touched that they were all sniffling into their sleeves as well.
Saint Nicolas cleared his throat once again. "Carolyn, do you take this man as your husband knowing that from this moment on you are forever bond to him?"
She nodded, tears slipping down her face. "Oh, yes, I do."
"And do you Daniel take this woman as your wife knowing that from this moment on you are forever bound to her?"
"I do so with all my heart," he intoned in a somber voice that left no mistake as to his sincerity.
Saint Nicolas looked at the small group of faces that waited expectedly for his next words. "Then as a power of higher authority, I grant that his marriage is of true heart and mind, and that Daniel and Carolyn are forever joined." He gently moved up to them and placed his hands on their shoulders as he turned them to face their family. "It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gregg."
The family cheered, and cried, and cheered some more as they embraced their parents, and even Saint Nicolas, who beamed with happiness.
"Well, now that that's done, we have a party to attend," Martha said and pointed to the main door of Gull Cottage. "And I'm not about to let all of that food go to waste." She regarded the man with the white beard and smiled at him. "Do you eat?"
"I have been known to partake from time to time."
"Then you have to join us," Martha insisted and linked her arm in his. He laughed all of the way into the house.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The party was underway, everyone enjoying Martha's delicious food, when Saint Nicolas quietly gestured Carolyn aside and she followed him into the kitchen as she waited for him to speak.
"Miss Carolyn, I have a special present that I wanted to tell you about in private. Daniel is a unique spirit which is why he has been granted the special gift of being a living man last Christmas. I didn't take into account the fact that he, and you, would not take in all that entailed. Thus your present condition. For that I am sorry."
Unexpectedly, Carolyn threw herself into the older man's arms and hugged him tightly. "Don't be sorry. We are so grateful for our time together even if it did result in some unexpected consequences." She drew back and looked into his face. "It meant everything to us, and resulted in a bonus we hadn't anticipated."
"You are an amazing woman, Miss Carolyn, you know that don't you?"
"Thanks, but not so much. I am happy that I have found the love of my life and there are no words to explain how much it means for us to be together."
"I'm glad." The smile crinkled the corners of his mouth into a delightful smile. "Then I have an added gift for you."
"I think you've given us enough."
"But this is very special, and it is for you."
"All right then, what do you have for me?"
"Due to your delicate…condition…I know you have needs that at this point will remain unfulfilled due to the nature of Daniel's state of being.
Carolyn colored just a bit and dropped her gaze. "Yes, but we both know what we are dealing with and we will be fine."
"That is not my point. My feeling is that you should have a proper honeymoon and that Daniel should have the opportunity to be a proper husband as you deserve."
"How can that happen?"
"Surely you jest," Nicolas laughed, a deep belly laugh. "I assisted at Christmas, I can certainly assist now."
"So you're saying that he will be real enough to…love me for a honeymoon? And then after?"
"Yes. The honeymoon will be mutual, but after that your…liaisons…will be at your discretion."
"You mean that when I want him I can have him?"
"So long as he is willing, yes."
"And it won't be up to him?"
"No. It is my gift to you."
"And after the baby is born."
"We shall see, Miss Carolyn."
Carolyn started to cry again, happy beyond words at the gift that she had been given. "Thank you so much. I can't even begin to express what this means to us."
"You are most welcome," Saint Nicolas dropped a fatherly kiss on her brow. "Will you tell him?"
"No, not yet."
Saint Nicolas chuckled, and then laughed, hard appreciating the surprise she was setting up for her new husband. "You are more than his match and he is fortunate to have you."
"If there's anything we can do in the future to help you, please let us know."
"I am counting on that, Miss Carolyn." He smiled at her. "And now, I must be on my way as I have stayed far too long. I will say a quick goodbye and then leave you to your revelry."
Carolyn nodded and watched him leave, tears in her eyes at her amazing good fortune. And she couldn't prevent the smile that spread across her face as she thought of the wedding night that lie ahead, and the profound surprise that lie ahead for Daniel.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The children were in bed, as was Martha and the house was quiet. The weather outside had worsened and the quiet interlude of the afternoon gave way to the howling winds of late winter that buffeted the house with their anger but the house stood firmly against the onslaught as it had for years. Gull Cottage had always been welcoming to Carolyn and her children, almost as if it were a separate entity from the man who built it, she had always felt safe and protected within its walls.
Carolyn wore a silky pink negligee that clung to her curvaceous figure, highlighting her assets in no uncertain terms, and why not? She was a married woman and certainly entitled to show off her attributes to her husband, her new husband that would be greatly startled when she revealed the gift that Saint Nicolas had bestowed on them.
She eyed her appearance in the mirror, and nodded, she realized it wasn't going to get any better than what she already had in place, but was in fact quite pleased with what she saw. It would do nicely to entice her Captain into her bed for the night. The place she most wanted him to be.
She stepped out of the bathroom and shut off the light closing the door behind her. The soft light from the nightstand gave off a warm glow, one that was comforting in the darkness of the room. She smiled to herself. It was time.
"Daniel? It's time. Come to me, please."
There was a brief disturbance in the air near her and her beloved Captain appeared across from her clad in a dark blue turtleneck, and dark trousers, which showed off his very valuable assets as well. She thought he looked gorgeous.
"My love, you called?"
"I think it's time we spend our wedding night together, don't you?"
"I most certainly do, my love. " He looked around, seeing only the bed bathed in the warm glow of the lamp on the nightstand.
"Romantic music, candles perhaps?"
"We've already done that." She said her gaze on him intent.
"Yes, but tonight is special. I thought you would want…well, more."
"I have you, we are married. What more could I possibly want?" Her smile was so bright that Daniel thought he felt his heart melt from the brightness of it.
"Then I had better do a very good, no, an excellent job pleasing you tonight," he said stepping over to her and pulling her into his arms. He put two fingers under her chin and tilted her face up to his as he bent down and touched his lips to hers.
The kiss was sweet, one filled with love and tenderness. When they were done he pulled back, stroking her cheek tenderly. "I love you, Carolyn Gregg." He smiled then as if weighing the sound of her name on his tongue. "That's a lovely name. I can't imagine your name sounding any better."
"Nor I." She leaned up and placed a lingering kiss on his lips. Then another, slowly growing with passion.
"Carolyn," Daniel drew back for just a moment and smiled at his love. "I will do whatever I can to please you, as you know I have very talented hands and my mouth belongs to you, but…" he sighed.
"You know that is not the only reason I married you."
"Obviously."
"But Daniel, I think you can do better than that."
"What? My love?" He regarded her with a confused expression as she pulled his head down for a lingering kiss, and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, pressing every inch of herself against him as their kisses grew more passionate.
"Carolyn, my love, I am sorry…" he began as they broke for air, but paused with his words as a familiar sensation stirred below as Carolyn ghosted her palm over the front of his trousers.
"You were saying?" she asked with a smirk.
"But how?"
"Does it really matter?" she whispered as she nibbled on his ear and then slowly led him to the bed.
"Oh, my love," he groaned as he abruptly pulled her to him and kissed her with a growing hunger that left her gasping for air.
"There he is, my passionate lover." Her eyes danced with appreciation as she appraised him. "You really need to lose your clothes, Daniel."
"And am I then to undress you?"
"That's the general idea."
He watched her and she saw as the desire began to light in his blue eyes, darkening them. "My love, I don't understand how this is possible."
"A parting gift from Saint Nicolas. He wanted us to enjoy our honeymoon."
"He did this?"
"He gave you the ability to be a man but what happens after that is up to you." She ran a finger across his chest, lightly tracing across his nipples and he shivered.
"Carolyn, I am going to do my utmost to take advantage of this situation. You will have to tell me if I go too far."
"Somehow I don't think that will be a problem," Carolyn said and tugged at his shirt urging him to pull it off. He did and she made a contented noise as she regarded his broad chest.
"You like that?"
"Don't ask stupid questions," she said and placed her hands on his hips as she kissed him again. In moments she was tugging on the fastenings of his trousers.
"Dearest, it has been since the holidays, a few months. I will not last long if we continue this pace…"
"Captain, we can do slow and loving later," she began to pull down his trousers, aware of his growing need.
"Carolyn," he gasped, concentrating on control.
She grasped him and stroked him causing him to make a guttural noise low in his throat. Then he picked her up and placed her on the bed, kissed her with a growing need as he felt if she was ready for him.
"Daniel," she moaned, "I'm ready. Take me. Please."
Eyes locked on her, he pushed up the negligee, pleased to find that she was not wearing any underwear, and let his fingers test her readiness and found that she was indeed ready for him.
"My love," he murmured as he pushed himself into her slowly, wanting to draw out her pleasure. Her moan was all the encouragement he needed and he matched her growing desire, the way she arched against him with his own thrusts until they were both spinning out of control, and he felt her climax around him, with him crying out her name as he followed closely behind.
As they recovered from their shared bliss they stared into one another's eyes and both sighed in contentment. Carolyn snuggled into him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"We will have to think of where to go for the honeymoon," she whispered, her eyes growing heavy with sleep.
"Honeymoon?" Daniel regarded her with shock. "Why would you think we could go anywhere other than Gull Cottage?"
"Because Saint Nicolas said so," she murmured as she fell asleep on his chest.
He kissed the top of her head, content to hold her in his arms as she drifted into sleep. He raised his hand and stared at his wedding ring, the glint of it reflecting from the nearby light, and he felt a satisfied warmth within himself. He, Daniel Gregg was a married man and more content than he had ever dreamed possible.
"I love you, my dearest Carolyn," he whispered and placed a gentle kiss on her neck.
Honeymoon? Could they actually go somewhere other than Gull Cottage? The possibilities were endless, and his mind began to catalogue the many places he had been and what would be best suited to show the love of his life.
His wife. Content, he held her tight and before he was aware of it, he joined her in the peaceful slumber of wedded bliss.
