Chapter 10

Thanks to Mary for inspiring a certain scene in this story! Read on to see what it might be. Enjoy.

I still don't own them. Heck, I can't even rent them.

With Christmas being on a Friday, Daniel decided to stay in Schooner Bay through the next week, going home Saturday morning. During that time, he hired a contractor to put a new roof on Gull Cottage, had an electrician come in and rewire the kitchen and living room, and had a shower installed in the bathroom.

Mostly his days were spent going over the books with Claymore, looking for job prospects, and thinking of the best way to propose to Carolyn Muir. She had been widowed for over a year, so that wasn't an issue and it was plain to him that she would indeed say "yes." He wasn't sure the best way to go about it, however, not really having had the experience before now. Actually, if someone had told him in any lifetime that he would be contemplating marriage, he would have laughed at them. Vanessa didn't count, he decided. Sure they had been betrothed, but the first time he had made a speech about needing someone to watch his house while he was gone; and apparently in his new life, she had said at dinner one night that they might as well get married and he had agreed before he realized what he was doing.

He wanted this to be very special. Either God, Fate, an angel, or someone had decided that he should be able to have his heart's desire, and he wanted to do it right from the beginning, which meant finding the perfect ring (did she like diamonds? Or was she more of a gem girl? He really needed to find out) and then finding the perfect place to ask the question.

His evenings were spent at Gull Cottage, eating dinner with the family, posing for Candy's talented brush, and helping Jonathan with the ship's model. After the children went to bed and Martha had retired for the evening, he would sit down beside Carolyn on the couch and they would talk about their future… together. The last two nights, however, there had been little talking; kisses had grown into roaring fires, with passion and desire running high. It had taken every ounce of strength in him not to yield to his lust and love for this woman. And he knew she felt the same. Even now, sitting at Norrie's with his $2.95 special, he could feel her body, soft and supple against his, his mouth on hers, her hands linked into his. He had made himself a promise last night that when they did finally make love, he would show her the world in that regard. Let her know just how much he cherished her. He didn't understand it, but he had a second chance, and he wasn't going to well… blow it.

A visit to Claymore was surprisingly not of the stressful variety. He informed the man that from now on, all cares of Gull Cottage were out of his hands. "I'll take over the supervision of the place."

"Even while you are in Boston?"

"Even while." he nodded. "And if all goes well, I may be back in the spring."

"Are you… um… planning to woo and marry the fair Mrs. Muir?" Claymore grinned and suddenly Daniel felt a camaraderie with his relative a small one, but still there.

"I am indeed," he grinned back. "I feel that the wooing may have already occurred, and I hope the marriage won't take too much longer. I'm planning to propose to her this evening, and if she says yes, I'll need you to dust off your book of marriage vows."

"You want me to do the wedding?" Claymore's face was a mixture of disbelief and relief.

"Well, at least a part of it; you are after all the only family I have, such as you are."

No words were exchanged after that, not even a hug or a slap on the back, but it was understood between the two of them that things would be a bit easier between them. Not perfect, but easier.

OOOOO

The jewelry shop in Schooner Bay had plenty of fine rings, but none of them seemed right for his Carolyn. The clerk was eager to please, and was beaming at the Captain, knowing he was the first one to find out about the confirmed bachelor's intentions.

"I could have a selection sent in from Boston," the man said, when it appeared that Daniel was leaving. "They could be here by Monday."

"I'm sorry, my good man, but I really need it today. I'll be gone by Monday. But, I will take the necklace on your display."

The balding man beamed as he headed for the one the Captain wanted. It was a beautiful sterling silver chain with a stone of deep blue and when it was put in a blue velvet box, it had quite an effect. Daniel paid for it and went out into the cold day. Blast it! Well, he could always propose and promise a ring later, but that sounded like he wouldn't really mean it. He had always scoffed at men that weren't prepared. Even Vanessa had a ring; albeit one she had picked out and told him that was the one. Both times actually, he remembered with a grimace.

He wanted Carolyn to have the best ring, one that was like her, beautiful and delicate, but with a fire. Damn!

Catching site of Priscilla's Antiques, he walked into the store, realizing he had never been there before, not in any existence. A woman he was sure had to be Priscilla greeted him with a warm smile and asked if he'd like some cider or coffee on such a cold day. Gratefully accepting a cup of coffee, he started looking over the shop, finding little things of no real value, but very fetching for a town like Schooner Bay.

A scrimshaw letter opener caught his eye, and on his way to check on the detail, he saw a display of rings. Right on the top, he saw IT, the one he knew in his heart was Carolyn's. He picked it up, wondering if it would fit her finger, recalling with a shiver (that had nothing to do with the chill in the air) how delicate her fingers were. The stone was a deep green, an emerald he was sure, the oval fit into a platinum setting with two tiny diamonds on each side. This was what he wanted.

"How much for the ring?" he asked Priscilla, hoping it wouldn't be too much, but willing to pay a great deal.

"Oh, that's a good choice," she beamed. "It came from the estate of Lady Amelia Stoddard and was the ring her husband gave her right before he sailed away to the Spanish American War. It's a real emerald, you know."

"I thought so," he nodded, "How much, please?"

The price she gave him was lower than he had planned and he said he would take it. It was still expensive, but if this ring was as valuable as it looked then he had a bargain; and most importantly, it sang out "Carolyn."

The woman told him more about the ring while she placed it in a box and then rang up the transaction, but he wasn't really listening. He should really have the ring appraised and fitted before he gave it to Carolyn, but that would ruin everything. Besides, he had to leave in the morning. As it was, he was only giving himself two days to get settled in before school started again.

Daniel took the bag, thanked her for the ring and the coffee, and then headed toward his car. He smiled as her saw her pick up the phone on her counter, more than likely to spread it through town that Captain Gregg, who Claymore no longer seemed angry at, had just bought a most expensive and beautiful ring. Well, let her have her fun. He felt so good that he thought he might float up to heaven.

OOOOO

Carolyn looked at the clock over the mantel, noting it was almost seven and her heart gave a flutter. He was coming! Looking at herself in the mirror once more, she gave her hair a final brush, checked her makeup briefly and made sure her earrings were in place. She hadn't worn her Grandmother's earrings for years, never really finding an occasion grand enough for them. "You would like him," she addressed the memory of her father's mother.

The front door bell rang and she felt her pulse quicken and her breath come out in gasps. Oh being in love was so nice. If only he didn't have to leave in the morning, everything would be very perfect.

"Mom!" Candy and Jonathan hollered out together. "Captain Gregg is here!"

"Coming!" She opened the door to call down the steps. "Just give me a minute."

After one more look in the mirror just to make sure, smoothed the hem of her dress and started down the stairs slowly, feeling like she wanted to run.

"Don't you look lovely?" Daniel took her hand, helping her down the last two steps. He kissed her cheek, making the children giggle.

"Thank you," she blushed. "You look very fine yourself." Their eyes held each other's steadily, her hand resting in his; they seemed like statues, so engrossed in one another were they.

"Dinner is ready, if you can tear yourselves away," Martha said, her face making it impossible to tell her mood. "But if you two would rather sit and stare at each other that would make more for the rest of us."

When they kept standing there staring, Martha herded the children into the kitchen and made a remark about if the new roof leaked, she would cover them with a tarp. Candy and Jonathan laughed and headed for their place at the table.

"I think they are talking about us." Daniel finally said, moving her hand to his lips and brushing it softly.

"I think they are, too," Carolyn nodded, the feel of his lips on her skin more intoxicating than wine.

"Then I suppose we should go join them," he smiled.

"We should."

Dinner was nice, nothing fancy, only meat loaf and mashed potatoes, with corn and lima beans, but Daniel felt he had never had a better meal. He had been able to eat as ghost, of course, and it had had its advantages; never getting fat, not having to use the bathroom afterwards, but he had missed actually getting full. It was nice to be satisfied… well at least with food.

"So, what are the plans for this evening?" he asked, not sure how these Muirs might celebrate New Year's Eve.

"We usually play games and have snacks." Carolyn told him. "How do you feel about Monopoly?"

"I'm rather fond of it," he said, taking a sip of coffee. Some things never changed.

"Will you play with us?" Jonathan asked, and the sea captain nodded.

"Groovy. Will you be banker?"

"I would be honored."

He had watched the children play this game for what seemed like a thousand times. In all of that he only remembered seeing Carolyn play once or twice. It wasn't that she didn't want to spend time with them; she just didn't usually have a lot of spare time. So, he was glad when she settled down on the floor with them and picked up the shoe, saying that's who she would be. Candy picked the dog (she had always picked the dog before) and Jonathan took the hat, which left Daniel with his favorite piece… the ship.

It was a pleasant way to spend an evening. Even though Jonathan had both Park Place and Boardwalk, Carolyn was making more money off of her green and purple properties and Candy spent a great part of the time in jail. Daniel owned all four railroads and both utilities, but as luck would have it, very few people ever landed on them; certainly not as many times as he hit Income tax or Candy's block of orange and red properties.

After a couple of hours, everyone agreed they were tired of the game, so they counted the money and Carolyn won, having five dollars more than Candy. "That was fun!" the little girl exclaimed as she started to gather everyone's money to put away. "We should do this more again. You WILL come back to see us often, won't you?" Candy couldn't keep it in anymore. She knew her mother had told her not to bother Captain Gregg about coming to visit, but she had to know. And so did her mother, she was sure. She could barely remember the last time her mom had been this happy. No, her mother hadn't been sad and depressed all the time, (except right after her father had died, but they had all been then) but she had lost that skip in her step and the light in her eyes, watching her husband die and now it was back. Candy knew, even at her age, that it was because of Daniel Gregg.

"Why don't you help me get some of that chocolate cake for everyone?" he asked the girl, who had walked over to him during her question and was standing before him with an eager, earnest look. "I'm sure Martha said she left us some."

"Okay!" the girl's pixie face brightened as she prepared to follow her new hero.

"Just a small piece, please," they heard Carolyn say, which made them laugh.

"She really wants a big one," Candy confided. "This is her favorite cake in the whole world, chocolate with raspberry and coconut on top. She doesn't want you to think she's a pig, or anything."

He laughed at the thought of Carolyn Muir actually eating too much of anything. "Now, that I would like to see."

As Candy cut the cake and he prepared cups of coffee for himself and Carolyn and then poured milk for the children, he casually asked the girl in a low voice, what she thought about him asking her mother to marry him. He wasn't sure how she might take it; after all her father had been gone just a year and he was relatively new to the family and was expecting rejection. Coming to visit was vastly different than becoming part of the family.

"Are you serious?" she blurted out, quickly covering her mouth. "Are you serious?" she said again this time quietly. "Marry mom? Oh yes! That would be so groovy!"

"Are you going to marry mom?" They heard Jonathan ask as he came into the kitchen, a somewhat guilty look on his face. "I was listening at the door," he admitted. "'Cause I was curious."

"Sorry, Skipper," Daniel laughed. "I just didn't want to make your mother suspicious."

"I told her I wanted to check on Scruffy. I thought maybe something was up. So, are you really going to marry mom?" His face was full of hope.

Daniel looked from one to the other; these beautiful children with their mother's blond hair and lust for life, and he wondered for a brief moment if he could care for them properly. In the last few days he had learned quite a bit about their father, something that hadn't happened before, and he was wondering if he could fill the man's shoes. But maybe he didn't have to; maybe he could start with a new pair.

"If she'll have me…"

"…If I'll have you what?" The kitchen door swung open, and Carolyn came in, questions burning in her eyes; those deep, emerald eyes.

"He wants to ask you to marry him!" Candy blurted out, and once again she realized that she had made a mistake.

"And you say I have a big mouth." Jonathan poked her affectionately in the ribs.

"Shhh."

Daniel looked over at Carolyn and then down to Candy, back to Jonathan, and once more at Candy.

"You do?" Carolyn blurted out at the same time he blurted out:

"I do. I didn't mean to ask you in quite this way, but I… well… yes… I do want to marry you, very much."

"I would like that," she said almost shyly. "Very much." She leaned over the table, giving him a kiss that he prolonged before letting her go. Her eyes were shining to rival the stars and he felt like he could fly.

"So, was that a yes?" Jonathan had to ask.

"Yes, my boy, that was a yes!" Captain Gregg reached out and rumpled his hair. "Wasn't it?" He looked over at his love once more.

"A most emphatic one!" she grinned. "Yes, it's a yes! Captain Gregg and I are getting married!"

The children cheered; both of them jumping up and down and Daniel didn't blame them. He felt as though he could do somersaults and handsprings, too. Carolyn took the opportunity to go stand beside the seaman, snuggling against him as he put his arm around her waist.

"I do actually have a ring," he told her over the joy of her children. Reaching into his pocket with his free hand, he pulled the box out, handing it to her, finding her hand was trembling as much as his was. "It hasn't been sized or appraised yet," he told her, as she removed the ring from its velvet throne. "But, I thought it was you."

"Oh, we can do both of those later," she assured him, holding the ring out so she could look at it. "Put it on for me?"

The children quieted down when they noticed their soon-to-be-father taking the ring from their mother and slipping it on her hand.

"Gosh!" Candy breathed as she watched him perform the simple task. "I want to be loved like that some day."

The ring was a bit big, but Carolyn refused to take it off, saying she would go and get it re-sized on Monday. "And after that, you will be hard pressed to make me take it off."

"It's beautiful!" Candy and Jonathan declared, watching the way the emerald caught the light.

"But what about you, Captain Gregg?" Jonathan looked up suddenly. "If Mom gets a ring that says she's going to marry you and everyone can see it and know, then what do you wear to let everyone know that YOU are engaged?"

"Well, I never thought of that one before." the man had to admit. "Men traditionally don't have any proof that they are engaged."

"Which makes it really nice for them," Carolyn smirked, making him chuckle.

"What?" Candy and Jonathan both asked, the grownups too involved in their joke to notice.

"Well, it's something we can think about while we eat our cake," Carolyn said, picking up the tray with the coffee and milk while Daniel grabbed the one with the cake.

They sat in the living room, eating and talking like a real family, Daniel thought. But then again, hadn't they always been so? Especially after Candy and Martha had known he was there, they had settled into a type of family routine, but this… this was different. And he would bet anything it had to do with the beating heart in his chest and the ring on Carolyn Muir's finger. He didn't know if that should make such a difference, but it did seem to.

They played Mille Borne until almost midnight, Carolyn never getting the "Go" card and Candy getting all of the protective cards so no one could put any nasties on her. Jonathan racked up the miles, winning easily over Daniel, who managed to clock a mere 1,500 miles, because of the speed limit card Candy had given him and he could never seem to get a hold of the remedy card. They all agreed it was great fun. "And a good way to learn French," Candy pointed out, since the playing cards were in both languages.

At fifteen minutes till the magic hour, they turned on the TV, letting it warm up to watch Guy Lombardo ring in the New Year. All four of them sat down on the couch, Carolyn on one side, Candy on the other, of Daniel and Jonathan beside her. It was perfect.