Chapter 11
Captain Gregg was growing more frustrated as each day passed. He was feeling much like a side show exhibit at the circus. It had been at least two weeks since his capture and he did not care for his afterlife existence being toyed with by these mortals, yet there appeared to be no way for him to escape. The Captain had managed to gain an ally on the inside with the young Tanaka couple but they seemed limited on what they could do for him. He longed to be home with his family, with his wife, Carolyn.
One of the women that came daily to the hanger bay was expecting. She was heavy with child and often required assistance just to get out of a chair. It made him think of Carolyn and how she was doing, carrying their child.
'How much am I missing by being trapped here?'
Daniel's thoughts slipped back to a particular summer evening that was warm, but not hot. At least not until he and Carolyn were between the sheets. He recalled the softness of her skin and how she responded to his touch. The deep kisses that lead to a hunger for each other. Her breath in his ear put his senses on end. Their empathic connection cocooned them and created a oneness beyond their entwined bodies. A oneness beyond explanation. The euphoria continued to linger. They had lit their wedding candles a few hours earlier in the master cabin and were still burning bright.
—
The look on Captain Gregg's face had caused a small crowd to gather in front of his container and they were staring at him. He snapped back to reality turned his back, and leaned against the far wall.
—
He then returned to visit the memory once again. After Carolyn had fallen asleep, he took watch over his family for the remainder of the night and returned to her just before dawn. He quietly snuggled in behind her, creating a spoon. Something was different, though. He could sense it. Running his fingertips over Carolyn's abdomen, he felt it.
'It can't be. It simply is not possible!' He thought.
But there it was. No mistake. A second tiny soul and spirit was now present in his wife's abdomen. His eyes grew wide with excitement!
"Carolyn! My love! Wake up!" His news could not wait.
Carolyn murmured. "Is the house on fire?"
"No! My Love! Wake up!"
"Are the children sick?"
"No, darling. Wake up!"
She pulled the sheets up over her head and tried to ignore him.
He decided to try the direct approach.
"Carolyn! You're Pregnant! Wake up!"
Slowly the sheets came back down while a weary Carolyn was trying to focus on a wide-eyed, ear-to-ear smiling Daniel.
"My dear. You are pregnant!"
"Daniel. You know that's not possible."
"Nevertheless you are pregnant! I can sense the presence of a tiny soul and spirit in here." His hand was on her belly.
"I don't understand." Now Carolyn was sitting up.
"I don't quite understand either my love but they were not present yesterday and after last night I am beginning to believe more in the impossible."
Carolyn was trying to grasp the possibility.
"Daniel? Daniel? Daniel! Are…are you dancing on the ceiling!?"
"Of course not! I was…floating…with style." He looked away tugging on his ear while floating back into their bed.
"How can you be sure that I'm pregnant, Daniel?"
"Because I am not wrong!" He blustered.
"I just don't want you to be disappointed if I'm not."
"My dear. Believe me. You. Are. With. Child."
—-
The Captain's focus was broken once again when he glanced over and saw the Tanaka woman with her chalkboard trying to get his attention. The woman bowed.
"Captain Gregg-San. They would like to do a lightning test. Will you make some lightning, please?"
He scowled at the audience.
'They want lightning? I'll give them lightning. I will give them so much lightning that they will need to change their undergarments!'
His eyes seemed to turn into flames and his fists clenched. Thunder boomed! Lightning filled the chamber! Multiple electrical fuses and circuits blew! Smoke was rising from several pieces of equipment. The hanger bay went dark and emergency generators hummed to life! Several people made trips to the bathroom.
—
When Ed Peavy and Mrs. Muir arrived back at Gull Cottage, Carolyn could not get up the stairs fast enough. She headed straight into the master cabin and shut the door.
Opening a drawer in her dresser she brought out the wrapped candles and crystal stands from her and Daniels wedding. Carolyn placed them on the dresser. Striking a match she shared the flame with each candle, then gazed Heavenward and whispered a prayer.
Taking a deep breath she walked over to their bed and sat down. Carolyn focused on her feelings of love, warmth, and care for Daniel. Like releasing a dove into flight, she gently sent them on their way hoping to find him.
—
Captain Gregg was trying to take a few minutes of quiet among the aftermath of chaos that occurred since his lightning storm. His empathic channel to Carolyn had been like a dried up riverbed after his own abduction. Slowly… he could sense a small gentle stream of her love trickling through. He silently reached for them. More of her feelings were coming forth now. Her warmth and care caressed him as they filled the empty pool in his heart. Daniel drank of them like a parched man finding his private oasis in the desert. He sent Carolyn his own feelings of love, care, and relief to her. She drank of him herself and was refreshed. They spent quite some time sending their emotions to one another, almost as if they were in an actual embrace.
There was so much chaos at the hanger bay, no one had noticed that Captain Gregg was laying on his back on the floor spread eagle a smile resting on his face.
Carolyn had also laid back on the bed. She was looking content.
—
Another week had gone by, but at least the emotional pathway between Daniel and Carolyn had been restored. They were both relieved and also both concerned for the other. The longing to be together almost unbearable at times. Both frustrated. Both temperamental.
Carolyn was well passed her first trimester and was no longer nauseas. Instead, she was moody, which made Daniel more moody than he already was. They did their best to send comfort to one another. Carolyn also needed to start wearing stretchy pants and loose fitting tops. It was time to let the kids know that Mom was having a baby. It was also time to tell them what she could about Captain Gregg's absence. He had been gone over three weeks now, so they knew that something must be wrong. Martha stayed close in case Mrs. Muir needed her help.
"Mom? You're having a baby? Wow! Yippie!"
Thank goodness both children seemed to be happy about it.
"Is Captain Gregg the father?" Candy inquired.
"Yeah! Is he going to be a ghost dad?" Jonathan joined in.
Carolyn's mouth dropped open and she blinked.
'When did the kids get so smart? How did they know?
Martha was trying very hard not to burst out laughing.
'Did Carolyn really believe that she could keep her relationship with the Captain a secret from the children? She thought to herself.'
"Candy. Jonathan. Captain Gregg and I were secretly married several months ago." She tossed the statement out like she was casually casting a fishing line. Who would bite first was the question.
"You and the Captain had a secret wedding?" Candy was almost squealing with delight.
"Wow! Was it a scary wedding since the Captain is a ghost?" Jonathan was more curious than anything else.
Carolyn took in a deep breath.
'Oh Daniel. How I wish that you were here.'
—-
