Children in bed, parlor returned to normal, and dishes finished for the night, the Captain and Mrs. Muir stood silently in the kitchen. "So Captain," she said hesitantly, "there is, in fact, one last present, but since this isn't truly your birthday, I don't think it's appropriate to present it to you. So perhaps we should just say goodnight?"

Only seeming to listen to her, she noticed his attention captured in a far corner of the kitchen. "There is just one thing left undone Madam."

A bit frustrated that he wouldn't ask about the present she had so carefully prepared, she rolled her eyes, "What is that?" Gesturing to her, he moved silently across the floor. "Come with me," he whispered. Nearly fed up, Carolyn asked again, "What in earth are you doing?"

Stopping beside him, she watched his finger point with great purpose. "Open the pantry door madam!" And just as he planned (after all he was the one who knocked the container over and slid the small dog happily inside), Carolyn scolded him, but with a laugh in her voice, "Scruffy, caught with your paw in the cookie jar!"

Grumbling with satisfaction, the Captain, crossed his arms, "We're even you fur-lined informer!" A curious look crossed his face, and he suddenly turned to face her, "Present? You mentioned a present?"

Pleased to have finally captured his attention, she turned her back and walked, well actually sauntered across the kitchen. Glancing over her shoulder, with her best 'come hither' look, she offered him a rare, radiant smile. "I think you would have . . . appreciated it, but hardly something one could give on a 'death day'. I mean, after all it's not like I even know your REAL birthday, maybe then I might. . ." she let the sentence trail off, as he stepped closer.

"Madam, as much as I appreciate the 'generous' nature of the day, and whatever small gift you had in mind, I hardly think I should be celebrating birthdays at the point in my reality."

"Pity," she said certain of success, "I spent over an hour at that little lingerie store in town, trying to find the perfect 'present' for you." "Go on," he said stepping to her side, with a raised eyebrow and distinct glint in his eye. "And I did truly mean what I said about you being the only Captain in our lives," she looked up at him under fluttering lashes, "and absolutely the only one I ever expect to have in my life. Would have been wonderful . . . long, black lace, really quite stunning."

With a deep sigh, his imagination pointed his gaze up the stairs toward the Master Cabin. The thoughts spun around, 'Carolyn, alone, lingerie, black lac. . .' "April 8, 1825," he said abruptly, "Now about that present?" Laughing, Carolyn scribbled down on a note pad, Kids, GOT IT, April 8, 1825! and slid it onto the breakfast table. He reached down to grab it as she playfully slapped at his hand, "All right Mister, time to find our . . . or uh, YOUR present?" With a final laugh, she spun out of the room, and he smiled to hear her feet dash up the stairs.

"Suspect you had it right the first time," he grinned as he disappeared to join her.