As Captain Gregg made his way back up to Gull Cottage he thought of his love Carolyn. He had a chance for a wish, a wish that he could only have dreamed of having. But, at what cost would this wish be for Carolyn and her family? He was certain that she loved him as much as he loved her, but still he wanted to hear the words.
Carolyn was sound asleep in her bed when she heard Daniel's voice. He was asking her to wake up. "I have something very important to discuss with you." he was saying.
This was not the usual thing with the Captain. He knew that she had a family and work to do and needed her sleep. He did not disturb her very often, so she sleepily sat up and looked into his eyes. "What's happening?" she asked.
"I am one of the few lucky seamen who are allowed a one time wish. This has been granted to me on this evening. I would not have woken you up, but the decision has to be made within two hours. If I do not give my wish to a gentleman who is out in the harbor awaiting my wish within two hours he will leave."
In her half sleeping mode Carolyn couldn't believe what she had just heard. "You said, that you have been granted one wish? Is there any limit to the wish? Who is offering you this?" she asked.
"The man's name is Captain Enoch Schuman. I have heard of such a man, but had always thought that it was just a tale. However, he is anchored in the harbor awaiting my request. My wish is clear, but I want to make sure that my wish and your wish are both the same thing." Captain Gregg looked at Carolyn Muir with tender eyes and waited for her response.
"There is nothing that would please me and everyone in the family than to have you be alive and healthy. If this man has the ability to do that for you. That would be my wish and speaking for everyone else in the house, it would be all of our wishes." Carolyn told him tenderly.
"But there would be problems. I have no identification in this century. I will be a man out of my time. I don't know how to drive and the ships are not like the ones that I once sailed." he told her in a more worried tone.
Carolyn thought for a moment. 'It was true that he would have some adjustments. However, he had been around and knew many things that someone who had just come through time would not. Besides that, it would be the only way for them to be a true family' So she spoke in as kind a voice as she could muster. "We have learned to adjust ourselves into a close knit family. Even though, you are a ghost my children and the entire family has learned to love and care for you. Certainly the things that now trouble you are not as major as trying to live with a ghost in the house."
These were the words that Captain Gregg had hoped that he would hear. He wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go. He now was going to have that opportunity. He smiled down at his love and said "I shall ask for a life with you at Gull Cottage."
Many times Carolyn had wanted to be with Captain Gregg, but had never been able to consider this. Now she was going to have the chance. She smiled as he left the room headed to meet with Captain Schuman the man that could give him life.
As Captain Gregg headed to the ship that only he could see, he thought over very carefully what he was going to ask for. He had been told very clearly that once he had made the wish it could not be retracted. He walked up to the ship and found a smiling Captain Schuman waiting for him.
"Did you think over very carefully what you are going to ask me to grant you? Be careful, as I said the wish is a one time wish, and it cannot be changed, once the words have been said."
"I understand sir. I do have a couple of questions for you, though" Captain Gregg asked the man.
"I am here to answer any questions that you have. It is better to ask the questions now, than to wait until it is too late." Captain Schuman told him.
"Unfortunately, over one hundred years have passed since I died. Some adjustments can be made. However, I am taking on the responsibility of a young family and I am not sure that I can support them in this time." Captain Gregg told him.
"There is a way for me to help you sir. But, that will come at a high price. I can have you set up so that you will have the same social standing and money that you had when you are alive. But, this can only be done one way. You will arrive in Schooner Bay with no memory from your life in the nineteenth century. I will set it up so that you will be a sea captain who has just returned from a life at sea. You will be Claymore's cousin. Claymore will accept you as all of the townspeople will. However, if you and Carolyn do not find each other and fall in love within six weeks, you will go away from Schooner Bay and never return. Also, I am not sure as to whether or not you and Carolyn will ever see each other again." he told him.
The old saying that nothing is never free certainly was true. Captain Gregg thought to himself 'What is the better way? Do I just become a live person and struggle for the rest of my life, or do I keep my memories in this time period and not remember my life before until after I pass on?' This was indeed a difficult question. So he asked "If Carolyn and I find each other will we remember how it was before?"
"That can be done. Yes. I can have you remember everything if you find each other. The only people that won't know the truth will be the other people in town. Anyone who lives at Gull Cottage will remember you and how it was before. This is assuming that you and Carolyn find each other." he told him.
Captain Gregg thought of his Carolyn and her family. He owed them the best shot that he could give them. If he loved her as much as he thought he did and if she loved him as much as he was sure that she did, they would find each other. Only the family would know the truth and he would have his life back. He looked at Captain Schuman and said "I am ready to make my wish."
With this Captain Schuman listened intently to the words of Captain Gregg. "I wish to be given my life, with all of my belonging. I believe that Carolyn and I will find each other no matter where we are. If I am here in Schooner Bay we will find each other. I know that for certain."