Chapter
9
The kids
went to bed with few objections. Of course, the enticement of Santa
Claus was too big to ignore and it wasn't long before they were both
snuggled down under the covers, Scruffy happily ensconced on
Jonathan's feet.
"Will you be here in the morning, Captain Gregg?" the boy had asked as the seaman stood by the door, watching Carolyn tuck her children in.
"Would you like for me to be?"
"More than anything."
"Then I will be," he promised.
"I want you to be, too," Candy added and he winked at her.
"Double for you."
Their mother wished them sweet dreams, and then Jonathan rose up on his elbows. "Like last year's dream!" he said, his eyes shining. "That was so groovy."
"It was!" Candy nodded, "But this year will be even better than the dream."
"How come?" her brother asked, both adults anxious to hear why as well.
"Because Captain Gregg is REALLY here," the girl said.
For a brief moment, Daniel felt like crying.
Walking down the stairs with Carolyn, her hand nestled in his, he was sure that nothing could be more perfect than right now. "Would you like to help me put the presents under the tree?" she whispered as they neared the parlor door.
"I would," he nodded. "Which reminds me, I brought a few things with me; they are in my car. I'll go get them."
"You didn't have to do that!" She shook her head, but he could tell that she was pleased.
"I wanted to," he said, reaching for his coat, which meant having to let go of her hand. "Just in case the lady of the house decided she liked me and would let me stay."
"I think that depends on what you brought," she teased him. He bent down to kiss her, her mouth was sweet and warm.
"Be right back."
It was much colder now than it had been even an hour before and he wondered if they would get more snow that night. The wind whipped through him and he pulled his coat closer. One disadvantage to being human — wind and rain affected him once more. He didn't really care.
He came back in with his pre-wrapped packages to find her placing presents under the tree, humming a Christmas carol as she did so. "Happy?" he asked as he came in, taking off his coat and throwing it on the couch.
"I see Vanessa was right about you," she grinned, remembering what the woman had told her about his faults.
"Yes, but I'm worth it."
They arranged the presents in a semi-circle around the tree, putting Candy's new drawing easel in a prominent place up front. Carolyn turned on the tree and they stood there for several minutes, watching the flashing lights, hands barely touching.
"Yes," she finally said.
"Yes, what?" he asked, leading her over to the couch.
"Yes, I'm very happy."
"So am I."
He outlined her face with his fingertips before taking it between his hands and kissing her mouth. Once more, she allowed him to move past her parted lips, excitement coursing through his veins at the contact. Each kiss was longer and stronger than the one before it, his hands holding her close, hers tight around his neck. She moaned gently as he stroked the roof of her mouth and he felt her body push closer to his.
"I think perhaps I should leave," he whispered, knowing it was actually the furthest thing on his mind. He wanted to stay right here and keep holding her and kissing her. Hell, he wanted to make love to her, but no, this wasn't the right time.
"If you must," she said, her voice husky, her eyes shining with what could only be desire. "But I will miss you."
"And I, you." He kissed her once more. "Walk me to the door?"
She nodded, getting up to do as he had asked, her hand resting on his back. He hated to move to get his coat and hat, but didn't mind at all when she tied his scarf around his neck and told him not to get cold.
"We usually start the festivities early," she told him, "So seven o'clock would not be a bad idea. And we do eat breakfast before any presents are opened."
"Should I bring anything?"
"Just yourself," she replied, her green eyes sparkling. "That's really all we need."
The clock informed them it was midnight and they shared a kiss for each ring of the chime. She insisted on coming outside with him to watch him get in the car, and it was at that moment he remembered the dream he had given her last year and wondered what had happened in the dream she had had in this world.
"Have..." he began to quote himself. "...Have I told you how lovely you are?"
She smiled; pleased with his words, even though he could tell she didn't quite believe them. "It seems unreal," she finally said. He touched her arm and she moved closer to him.
"It's like a moment in a dream," he said, pulling her close, surprised to find her trembling.
"Please don't let it be a dream this time," she whispered, "I don't want to wake up in the morning and find you gone."
"I'm not leaving," he tipped her face up so that he could see her more clearly, wiping the tears that were streaming down her face with his gloved hand. "I will be here, just the same way I am now, bright and early in the morning. I promise."
She smiled through her tears and pulled him down for a kiss. "You better go," she said. "Be careful."
"And you'd best get inside, I don't want to have to nurse you on Christmas Day."
He walked to the car, not starting it up until she had waved to him and shut the door firmly behind her. Did she know about him now? Or was she merely referring to her dream? He wasn't sure. But if he had to move heaven and earth, he would keep his promise.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Carolyn tried everything in the book to fall asleep and when they all failed, she decided to pretend she didn't care if she slept, hoping to trick herself into slumber-land. She told herself that if she did fall asleep, she could dream about Captain Gregg, except that Daniel Gregg had spoiled that for her — he was so much better than a phantom in a dream.
She sighed, burying herself deeper under the covers, wishing that he were here with her now. His body had been so warm and solid against hers and she had wanted more than anything to make love to him. It wasn't just because she hadn't been with a man in over two years, or that she found him desirable (which she did), but because she loved him and she knew that she did. It would be so hard to explain to her friends and family exactly how she felt about this man she had known for such a short time, but she had known from the moment she met him that she loved him.
Mulling over their time on the porch, she felt unbidden tears trickling down her face and she allowed them to roll unimpeded. What he had told her about life being a dream was so familiar, like she had heard it many times before. She could almost see the scene in her mind now, the two of them on the porch as they had been tonight and the two of them standing there at another time, dressed differently, but still the same. She shook her head and smiled but the image persisted. Did she know him from before? But before what?
When they had moved into the house, she had felt the presence of the captain here. Martha hadn't seemed to notice it, nor Candy, but Jonathan had the very first day. Bobby, whose senses seemed to sharpen as his body failed had said he often felt that they were not alone in this place, but even though she laughed it off, she, too, had felt him here. Last year she had had a dream where Captain Daniel Gregg had taken her out on the porch and told her she was lovely and something about life and dreams.
Bolting out of bed, she went to her diary and flipped through the pages, not stopping until she found the one she wanted. Yes, here was where she had written it down. The writing was sloppy compared to her other entries and she had written for pages and pages of the dream she had, which Daniel had reenacted tonight when they were on the porch. Oh, she was confused. None of this made any sense at all. She kept remembering Daniel Gregg the ghost and Daniel Gregg the man, except there hadn't been any ghost for real, or had their been? And maybe it didn't matter.
Crawling back into bed, she pulled the covers up once more and settled down. He was a real man, who cared about her and the children, and she knew she wasn't imaging it. And thinking of dancing with him, close in his arms, she finally fell asleep.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Christmas Day dawned bright and early, with Candy and Jonathan both breaking into their mother's room around six-thirty to see if she might be up yet. A very sleepy, but content Carolyn hugged them both and all three of them snuggled in bed for a while and talked about the one person who would not be with them physically, but always in spirit.
"Do they have Christmas in Heaven?" Jonathan wanted to know, his blue eyes, so much like his father's, looking up at her. "Daddy loved it so much, I'd hate to think he doesn't have it anymore."
Not sure how to answer her son's question, she hugged him and told him that since Heaven was God's home and that Christmas was to celebrate God's Son being born on earth, that perhaps every day in Heaven was Christmas. After a few minutes of consideration, Jonathan nodded, happy with her reply.
"Captain Gregg will be here though, right?" Candy looked at her hopefully.
"He promised he would be," Carolyn assured her daughter, her heart picking up speed at the thought of seeing him again.
"I like him," Candy stated, hugging herself.
"I do, too," Jonathan nodded. "Very much."
"So do I," Carolyn concurred.
"And you kiss him!" both kids teased.
"Well, yeah, I do," she laughed.
They heard the doorknocker just as they were finishing up getting dressed for the day.
"Yay! Captain Gregg!" Jonathan started off down the stairs, two at a time, Candy following just as rapidly.
"You two are like a couple of hyenas," Martha teased as she ran a hand through her hair before opening the door. There he stood, picture perfect in his overcoat, the scarf around his neck bringing out the blue in his eyes, his arms full of wrapped presents, and his pocket bulging with what looked like wine bottles.
"Captain Gregg, do come in," she smiled at him and he winked at the housekeeper as he did just that, smiling at the anxious children who had come to greet him.
"Let me help you with your things." She started to take his packages from him, but he refused, saying that a lady should never have to lift heavy items and laid them in the parlor under the tree. Then he handed her the two bottles, one of Madeira and one of sparkling grape juice, and kissed her cheek, wishing her a Merry Christmas.
Carolyn heard the exchange between him and her housekeeper, thinking it a good sign that Martha liked him. The older woman had been very outspoken on some of the men who had tried to worm their way into Carolyn's affections, but she seemed to feel, like they all did, that he was indeed a member of the family already.
Taking the steps slowly, but not too much so, Carolyn arrived on the bottom stair, just as Daniel stepped forward and whisked her up in his arms, laying a kiss on her parted lips.
"Merry Christmas," he said in a low voice before setting her down on the chair by the desk.
"Merry Christmas to you, too," she smiled, her happiness bubbling up out of control. "You already bought presents in last night," she whispered in his ear.
"And now, I've brought more," he grinned.
"We are so glad you came, Captain Gregg," Candy said as they all walked into the kitchen together, both children not wanting to let him out of their sight. Carolyn knew exactly how they felt and had to work hard to not pull him back to her and keep him all to herself.
Breakfast was a wonderful affair, but the presents were calling, and sooner than usual, everyone trudged to the parlor, eager to see what Santa had brought them. Following the tradition that Carolyn and Bobby had set up with the family, Jonathan went first as the youngest, then Candy, then Carolyn. Daniel winked at Martha as he handed her a present after Mrs. Muir, saying that their ages were insignificant and that beauty was always the order of the day. Carolyn couldn't remember ever seeing her friend blush as red as she did then. He was a charmer, this Daniel Gregg was. And she had fallen readily for him.
The morning flew by as they each opened packages just for them. Jonathan boasted not only two new pairs of jeans and a pair of sneakers, but also a watch that told the phase of the moon, a book on star navigation, an eight ball, and a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Candy had received a new pair of skates, a sketchbook and new charcoal pencils, a necklace with her name written in cursive, a Slinky, an Etch-A-Sketch, and an illustrated copy of Peter Pan.
Carolyn touched the softness of the bathrobe that her mother and father had sent and gloried in the watch that had accompanied it. It was gold and had little diamonds on each number, and looked so dainty she was almost afraid to wear it. The kids had outdone themselves giving her a box of Whitman's candy, a perfume called Night Winds, and two boxes of freshly sharpened pencils like she used for making notes for stories. They also included a photo album with pictures of them since they had moved to Gull Cottage. She knew as soon as she saw it that Martha had helped them with it.
Martha herself received a good haul of presents — more frames for her pictures that Carolyn had found in an old shoebox and asked why they weren't out for everyone to see. "Now, you don't have an excuse," she told her housekeeper. "Those pictures are too good to be kept locked away." That was the truth. There were photos of Martha on stage with her brother, ones of her father at the height of his vaudeville days, and pictures of the Grant family.
For not being sure what to get him, and not having much time to get them in, Captain Gregg ended up with many nice things. The kids, eager to please, had gotten him a leather pencil case and had placed some of the pencils like they had given their mother inside. Also included was a fine ballpoint pen that he was sure Carolyn had contributed. He noticed when he closed the case that the initials DG were on the zipper flap, a nice touch. He was deeply moved by the gift, and much to his surprise, but not to theirs, apparently, hugged each child, expressing his thanks.
From Martha there was a bronze letter opener with a small ship on the top and bottle of Scotch he knew would have set her back a pretty penny. She must have read his mind because she shook her head and told him she had had it for some time, but didn't want to waste the good blend on just anyone. "It's a man's drink and should be treated like one," she said.
He shook his head at her wit, asking if it would offend her if he offered her a sip later, according to that line. "Not one bit," she told him.
Carolyn's gift wasn't fancy, but extremely precious to him. It was leather bound notebook, with an engraved DG in the center in gold letters. Inside in her own handwriting was the first chapter of the book she wanted to write about him, well his ancestor, and then an outline, each point neatly inscribed in her own style. "This is wonderful! Thank you," he beamed, and he noticed she blushed a deep red. Had she always been one to be moved by compliments?
Martha had put the turkey in the oven right after breakfast and the smell of the bird was now filling the house, making more than one stomach rumble. But with a present left for each of them, the kids begged to open them now and then get dinner ready, to which Carolyn and Martha readily agreed.
"I hope you enjoy them," Daniel said as he passed out the gifts that Sarah had helped him wrap before leaving Boston. He had taken a chance that they enjoyed the same things now that they had in his ghostly reality and was rewarded for that decision when Jonathan opened his package containing a model of the Mary Rose, one of Henry VIII's ships, some paint, glue, and a variety of brushes, that were very hard to find in Schooner Bay. He had also included H0 scale figures of a captain and a few hands, a couple of cannons, a marlin-spike, and whatnot. Even Candy and Carolyn exclaimed over those, thinking the little sea captain all dressed in blue looked very fierce and noble.
When Jonathan hinted at the fact that he hoped that Daniel might give him some aid with the model, the seaman nodded and winked at him. "I think maybe we can fit it in before I need to go back."
There were several moans at that statement, and he noticed that Carolyn's eyes grew dark and almost empty. Even Martha looked sad.
"I guess you have a job there in Boston, don't you?" Candy asked, and he nodded.
"Maybe you could find a job here instead?"
"Candy," her mother shook her head and the girl let it drop, but he was determined to bring the subject back up, and soon.
For Candy he had picked out several vials of oil paint, some fine canvases for painting on, some brushes, a palette, and a mixing chisel for her paints. She was so excited she kept saying, "Oh my gosh!" over and over, finally getting up and giving him a hug and promising him that she would paint him first, if he didn't mind sitting for her. He assured her he would be honored.
Martha had perhaps been the hardest to buy for, since he had just really gotten to know her in the other world and technically he didn't know about her, until he had gotten here. So when he handed her the basket full of wrapped packages, it was with some apprehension. But he knew from the time she opened the first book on New England cooking that he had done a good thing. She enjoyed every minute as she found crossword puzzle books, more cook books, gossip and movie magazines, a couple of paperback romances and a cake tester with a carved cherry pie on top. "Thank you so much, Captain!" she beamed at him. "This will keep me occupied for some time to come."
Then it was Carolyn's turn. Picking up the box wrapped in shiny green foil, he handed it to her, giving her a smile as she looked up at him. "Merry Christmas, Carolyn."
She opened it with shaking hands, gasping at the carved wooden box that she lifted out of the plain white one. It looked like cedar and was polished soft and smooth, the top engraved with a seagull flying over the water. She breathed in the fragrance of the wood, noticing the sides were decorated with various carvings, a house, a ship, and a grove of trees. "Open it." he told her and she did just that, the top supported by spring hinges. Inside was a pin that looked like an opal in a silver setting and she fingered it lovingly. But the gasp that emitted from her throat came when the music started to play.
He loved the tune, although he had no idea what it was or where it came from. He only knew that it was different from most music box songs and it seemed to fit the box itself. So he wasn't sure if Carolyn's reaction to the music was good or not, as he watched her lips twitch and a look of wonderment cross her face.
"Is it all right?" he finally asked and she nodded before her voice managed a "yes."
"It's beautiful, Daniel, thank you so very much."
"I'm glad you like it." He breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so hoping you would."
"I do," she said in a low voice. "So very much."
"You might as well kiss her," Candy broke in, rolling her eyes in disgust already. "I think we might have to get used to it."
"You might at that," Daniel laughed, walking over to sit beside Carolyn and placed a small kiss on her mouth.
"Well, that was one of the nicest Christmases I've ever known," Martha said, getting up, putting all at of the loot in the basket that the Captain had given her. "But it's nigh onto five o'clock, and that turkey isn't going to last much longer." She gave the children a significant look and asked if they would like to help by setting the table and filling the glasses with ice and water. They knew that 'no' wasn't an option.
After they left, Daniel leaned in for another kiss, this one full of desire, which led to another and another, hungry and warm. Resting his head against hers, he asked her once more if she truly liked the box and she nodded, the feel of her hair soft and inviting against this cheek. "Where did you find the tune?" she asked him.
"It was in the box when I bought it. I liked it better than the other options and thought it fit you more. And it was different. I don't know, but it reminds me of dancing under the stars." He kissed her forehead.
"Me, too," she grinned, happily kissing his lips, flames shooting through them both as they carried the embrace further.
"Time to eat," they heard Jonathan's voice from the kitchen and they reluctantly ended their kiss, but knew that there would be more chances for that later. Now, it was time to make this perfect Christmas even better.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Carolyn was glad to finally get the chance to take off her slippers and robe and sink into the inviting bed. What a wonderful day it had been! But oh, was she tired!
The clock over the mantle said it was past midnight, agreeing with the one by her bed. That meant Christmas was officially over, but she was sure it would be many years if ever she would forget this one. Pulling the covers over her, she closed her eyes for a moment, knowing it wouldn't take long at all for sleep to envelop her. But just for a few minutes, she wanted to think about Daniel Gregg.
After dinner, they had all gone for a walk, enjoying the moon shining down on the snow, making everything look like diamonds. As the kids and Scruffy had walked on ahead, they had strolled along together, her hand in his coat pocket, his hand covering it.
For the first time in a long time, she felt safe and secure, and the flying by the seat of your pants feeling was slowly disappearing. Bobby's condition had really thrown them all for a loop, and although they had dealt with it the best they could, it still had been very hard to know what to do from one minute to the next. With Daniel, she felt as though she were slowly getting her life back.
He was everything that she had missed these last few years, but maybe that wasn't fair to Bobby. He had been a wonderful husband and father until he was no longer able to be so. But surely even he would understand that while she still and always would love him that she wanted to move on. Bobby Muir had been one of the fairest men she had ever known. And maybe she should feel guilty for not wanting to think of him right now. It was hard to remember him before the disease had made him just a ghost of his former self.
Daniel Gregg! She couldn't explain it how she felt about him, except that she loved him. She knew it sounded cliché, but she did feel as though she had known him for a very long time. Despite her fatigue, she got up and picked up the music box he had given her that day from the dresser. As she opened the top, the music spilled out into the night and she closed her eyes as she listened. It was her song. Their song. But how did he know?
He had said he had liked this tune the best and that's why he had picked it. Six boxes all the same on the outside, but he had picked this one because of the tune.
Thinking back to that day and the dream she had, she could still see it clearly. She had been ill and feeling guilty because she didn't feel like working or spending time with Bobby and the kids. She had snapped at Jonathan unnecessarily and had passed over the lovely lunch Martha had made just for her. After enduring the doctor that Bobby insisted they call, she had taken her medicine — the vilest stuff ever, and eventually had fallen asleep. She had woken up to see the room dark, the electricity gone, candles burning everywhere. She had made her way downstairs and had opened the door to a party; it was the only thing it could have been. Japanese lanterns had hung from the trees, people were dancing and talking, a table was laden with food. She had walked out among the people, noticing she was dressed like them in clothes common for the last century, her hair long and pulled back from her face.
She had looked around hoping to see any one she knew. She saw Martha, but the woman apparently hadn't seen her. It was the same with Candy and Jonathan, now that she remembered. And Claymore as well. It was like she had been invisible. As a child she had often thought that being invisible could be to her advantage. Not because she wanted to sneak out at night or anything, but because it would be nice to know that you were somewhere and no else did. And so, although perplexed, she had enjoyed the dream for that alone. Guilt, even in her dream had run through her though, when she admitted to herself that person she was looking for was not her husband, but the man in the portrait. And he had appeared, dressed in his captain's dress uniform, handsome and mysterious. She still could feel the shiver of excitement that had run down her spine when he had taken her hand and led her to the dance floor. Even in her dream, she had prayed it wouldn't end too soon.
This, this was the song that had played in her dream. She had never heard it until that night and now here it was again. Given to her by the man she loved, a man who looked like the portrait, but wasn't. Jonathan had said that the spirit of Captain Gregg lived in the house; Bobby had even believed it. But Daniel Gregg wasn't a ghost, he was flesh and blood, firm and strong and so virile. Was it just coincidence that the song he had picked was the one in her dream? "Well, of course it is," she scolded herself. "What else could it be?"
She carried the box to the bedside table and opened it once more before crawling into bed. Listening to the music, images of her dream, of Captain Gregg and Daniel Gregg moving through her mind, the same but different. And finally, she fell asleep.
