Chapter 12

Carolyn jumped up from the deck at Daniel's yelling for her. A toothbrush was protruding from her mouth, and white foam was falling from her lips. She shrugged her slender shoulders and mumbled, more foam falling out onto the deck. Tucking her hair behind her ears, Carolyn continued to mumble and made nonsensical hand gestures in the air.

Captain Gregg groaned a sigh of relief while his wife was trying to chastise him over scaring her, but she needed to expel the toothpaste.

After spitting and rinsing, she came over to her husband intending to further chide him, but after seeing his loss of composure, she dropped the matter entirely. He was still collecting himself and clumsily sat down, leaning on the tiller handle.

"What was that about, Daniel?" Carolyn's words fell softly on his ears as she sat down beside him. A look of concern washed over her usually calm face. She reached over and took his hand in hers. He barely noticed.

"A bad dream, my dear. That's all." He closed his eyes and brought his free hand to his forehead. More drops of sweat formed.

"You? You had a dream?" Her mind had a difficult time processing his answer.

"Yes," was all that he said.

"Daniel? You're sweating. You don't sweat!" Carolyn jumped to her feet. Her concern for him was growing by leaps and bounds.

Taking in his appearance, the seaman casually 'willed' himself clean, including a fresh pair of shorts. He was still out-of-sorts, though.

She stooped back down. "What was the dream about?" Her words were quiet and Carolyn looked into her husband's troubled blue eyes.

"It was unpleasant, darling." He looked away from her to the horizon as if it held the right answer.

"Daniel, you're trying to minimize this. Please, tell me the dream." Carolyn's voice grew stern and a frown formed on her mouth as coddling was set aside.

The shoe was on the other foot this time as far as the telling of one's dream were concerned.

Captain Gregg recognized her tone and gauged her facial expression. Time to come clean.

"My love, I dreamt that we were walking together and then we were pulled apart." He kept it cut and dry hoping it would pass for enough of an answer that his wife would let it go. It was not to be the case.

"What are you not telling me? What are you leaving out, Daniel?" Carolyn pressed him for more information. She hated his stalling tactics and set her jaw.

"Female! Eternally female! Never satisfied with a simple answer!" Now Captain Gregg was simply blustering. Coming to his feet, the seaman walked to the other end of the ship's deck. He rubbed his forehead, then crossed his arms over his chest.

Carolyn followed in a stiff walk and caught him in a tight embrace. She pressed her head into his chest. He caught a whiff of her shampoo and momentarily lost track of his thoughts.

"Blast it! I love you, Daniel. You're not getting away until you tell me what has you so shaken up from this dream." She clung to him like a stubborn toddler. He decided against vanishing from her grip. It would only serve to infuriate his wife.

Most times Captain Gregg admired her tenacity, but this was not one of those times. With carefully chosen words, he relayed the dream.

"Is the dream mine or yours?" Carolyn asked as she pondered the fact that he had fallen asleep and that he experienced something that had rattled him so much.

"It is difficult to tell, darling. With our bond, it could be from either of us or possibly even from both." Her seaman took a deep, false breath. "I had forgotten how real dreams can seem." The recollection left lasting images in his mind that were most unsettling.

"I know the feeling, Daniel dear." She bought his head down and kissed him deeply. It was enough to distract him as he gave himself over to her lips. His hands found their way around her waist.

Daniel forced himself to pull away. "I should make you breakfast, my love." Her Captain was trying to focus on making food, though his thoughts were taking him in a different direction.

"Let's make breakfast together." She connected with his thoughts and giggled. "We can make merry later."

"Carolyn, let us put the dream aside and resume our honeymoon. It may have only been a dream from our fears." He held her close and took in the moment. Her hair was swept up by the breeze tickling his ear.

"I agree. Nothing has really happened and we're being careful." She held her chin up. "Let's take a guided tour, my Captain."

"After you and our little one have had some breakfast." His fingers slid lightly over her belly causing the baby to react. Daniel Gregg took special pleasure in making a connection to his child yet in the womb.

The newlyweds arrived in town at just the right time for a guided tour along with a small group of other island visitors. Much of it involved the old sugar plantations that used to populate the island, but the Captain felt that the guide had a few inaccuracies concerning the facts. Carolyn chuckled. "Tell me your version, later."

At last, Daniel was able to visit the Cruzan Distillery and purchased several bottles of the premium rum. It had been some time since he had tasted the aged delicacy. He would savor every drop.

The toured ended and the couple had lunch before leaving town and returning to the cutter. At her husband's insistence, Carolyn took a nap. She woke up with the seaman by her side. With her fingertips, Carolyn glossed over his forehead and then down the side of his face. She ended by tracing a finger over his ear. He melted at his wife's touch and gave a little growl of approval. "Let's go for a walk on the beach," she suggested.

The seaman and the writer took a leisurely walk on the beach. Much to their surprise, a small crowd gathered in the sand where an open tent had been set up. Carolyn pulled her husband over to see what the activity was about. She was not going to be shy.

Four massage tables were set up and various masseuses were busy working on clients.

"Oh, Daniel! I've always wanted a massage!" Carolyn walked over to the woman that appeared to be taking reservations. Daniel followed with his own reservations about what was going on.

"Tell us about your services, please," Carolyn inquired to the young lady.

"We are licensed masseuses and do various techniques of massage according to your needs. We use natural oils from the island. Here is a list of our services and prices."

"Can you accommodate mothers-to-be?" Carolyn placed her hand on the baby bump.

"Yes, we can. Congratulations!"

"Thank you! When can up you book my husband and I in for an hour massage?"

"We can schedule you in for 7 this evening. You can just wear a bathing suit." The young lady smiled.

Carolyn nodded and gave them their names, proudly. "Mr. and Mrs. Gregg."

She turned back to her husband, who was close by.

"We have an appointment for an hour massage at 7 tonight." Carolyn was excited and wore her anticipation like a garment.

"We, my dear? We?" He looked uncertain about the whole thing. "Carolyn, in my day, a massage was a rather sordid and tawdry thing to do." The Captain put his hands behind his back and puffed his chest.

"Daniel, in your day, a massage would take place at a brothel! These people are professionals. They are not giving sex! It's therapeutic. They are licensed."

Daniel gave her the stink eye. He was not quite convinced.

"Very well, my dear, as long as we are not separated." He cringed and wondered how this could possibly be a good idea.

—-

The afternoon was coming to an end as dinnertime quickly approached. The pair had a casual meal at a popular restaurant. They set off back to the beach where the Captain found an outdoor bar. He ordered a glass of the famous rum which passed down his throat all too fast. Eyeing the massage tent, he ordered another rum. While drinking it down, he watched his wife gathering shells. The incoming surf tickled her toes and she giggled. The evening breeze caught her lovely island sundress and wisps of hair danced on her cheeks. She clasped her hands under the baby belly and smiled at him.

'What a lucky man I am, indeed. I cannot think of anything that I have done to deserve this women.' He felt an overall sensation of warmth.

The sun was setting when their appointment arrived. Tiki torches were lit and they were the last ones for the day. The tables were close, side by side and cushions were used to make Carolyn comfortable. The aroma of tropical oils wafted through the evening breeze. The sound of ocean waves added to the relaxing effect.

Captain Gregg attempted to relax, somewhat, but he kept a guarded eye on his wife.

"Sir? Just try and loosen up. Your muscles are tight," the male masseuse offered.

"I am." His answer was short and curt. A hint of thunder rolled above the beach.

"This is our first massage. My husband might be a little nervous." Carolyn shot him a look that said, 'Behave!'

She had an idea, and reached over to take his hand. He responded by cupping his hand around hers. In her mind, she began to hum a song that he enjoyed. He heard the tune echoing in his thoughts and was less tense. Inside the hidden melody, she mingled her words. 'Imagine that I'm the one who is giving you a massage, Daniel. Imagine all of your cares running off of you like ocean water.' Her haunting tune found the knotted places in his mind and released them. She could feel his tension leaving and a small sense of peace took its place. Her seaman relaxed.

Carolyn was getting lost in the whole experience and wondered why she never did this before. She concluded that it was mostly a money issue.

When they had finished, the masseuses were appropriately paid and tipped. The Greggs returned to the cutter.

"That was wonderful! Just what I needed!" Carolyn stretched her arms and yawned.

"It was adequately relaxing, dear." Captain Gregg was not going to reveal the fact that it was enjoyable once he did loosen up.

Another warm evening was spent in the moonlight on the deck of the Spirited. The newlyweds shared a reclining lounge chair and a bottle of wine. Carolyn was making a habit of laying in her husband's arms. It was a habit that Captain Gregg did not mind in the least.

A shooting star raced across the night sky, its glistening trail fading from sight.

"Quick! Make a wish, Daniel." Carolyn picked her head up.

"I wish that we will have many more evenings exactly like this one, darling." He gave her a kiss that was filled with his adoration for her.

"I could not have made a better wish." She closed her eyes and drew his head to hers. Their thoughts connected into one with their emotions following closely behind. They entered into their private cocoon where distractions could easily be ignored. Daniel became semi-transparent and Carolyn fell into his being, becoming one with him. She also became semi-transparent, which deepened the bond. Their spirits entwined together. They shared a melting kiss and subconsciously levitated themselves into the sleeping compartment in the cabin. Minutes turned into hours as passions fueled their desire for one another. No words could come close to describing what they were experiencing in their oneness. Only for each other…

It was mid-morning and Carolyn still lay sleeping from the previous nights encounter. Her husband was beside her, watching her sleep as he had been doing for the last several hours. It was during these times that he would muse about her. Never ceasing to amaze him, that this beautiful woman chose to be his and only his…always. He could never be normal, not on this earth, and she accepted it. With his spectral status, concessions would have to be made, and she conceded to it.

He was stubborn and had a temper. She could be just as stubborn and meet his temper with hers. He was set in his ways. She was patiently realigning his ways. He was not always forthcoming. She was able to coax from him what hid under the surface. He could be pompous. She refused to indulge his ego unless it was in the way of teasing. He was lost in a time not his own. She took his hand and helped him to find safe harbor. His afterlife was upside down. Over time, she was turning it right side up. He was alone. She became his rescuing angel. Daniel Gregg was convinced that he was never truly alive, until after he died and met Carolyn Muir. Her and the children gave him a life and a family that he had not known he desired.

He could watch her sleep for hours, but now he needed to awaken her. Placing his hand on the baby bump, he gave soft, circular, light caresses. Every finger touch was an invitation for the child to know and respond to him. He was not disappointed when movement was felt under his hand. Carolyn opened her eyes and smiled at her husband.

"Did you want the baby to wake me up?" She yawned and stretched her body.

"Whatever need be, my love." He gave her a gentle kiss and brought their minds together to begin an exchange of heartfelt thoughts.

"We should call home today and see how everyone is doing," Carolyn softly suggested as she played with her Captain's curls.

"Agreed, darling. We will also need to restock some supplies and head back towards Puerto Rico. I will go and make your breakfast." He gave her another kiss and opened the ship's hatch. Sunlight flooded the compartment.

—-

The couple headed into the town of Christiansted for supplies and a last round of tourist stops. Finding a pay phone, they called home to Gull Cottage.

The operator rang them through.

"Hello? Muir residence." Martha's familiar voice could be heard.

"Will you accept a collect call from Daniel and Carolyn Gregg?"

"Yes, operator, we will." Martha motioned Carolyn's parents to come to the phone.

"Carolyn? Captain?" Emily took the phone first.

"Yes. We're here, Mom. How is everything at home?" Carolyn held the phone away from her ear so her husband could hear also.

"We're all fine, dear. It's getting cold, but everything is good. Are you and the Captain coming home soon, Carolyn?"

"Yes, Mom. We'll be heading back to Puerto Rico shortly. I know that the kids are in school, but we might be on the ocean for a couple of more days. I thought that I should let you know."

"Good idea, Carolyn. We'll pass it on to Martha and the kids. I think that Brad would like to speak with your Captain, dear."

"Here he is, Mom." She gave the phone to Daniel.

"Gregg? Are you there?" Brad had the phone.

"I am here, Brad. What can I do for you?" Captain Gregg would need to get used to the idea of using the man's first name.

"Good. I've sent pictures of your ship relics to the broker and we're going to meet tomorrow. The man believes that his employer will be very interested in what you have. I can't give you a number yet, but I feel confident that you, Carolyn, and kids can live pretty comfortably off of it. If you don't mind me mentioning it, Daniel, I think that Carolyn could use a new car."

"I heartily agree. A new car is at the top of the list for the family. We would also like to purchase Gull Cottage from Claymore, my supposed nephew." He was trying to allow Carolyn to hear the conversation too.

"You have to buy your own house back? That sounds absurd!" Brad was surprised and shook his head.

"Yes. It is quite absurd, sir." A sore point for Daniel as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "We look forward to seeing everyone and will be back in contact soon."

The conversation ended and the newlyweds prepared to leave St. Croix.

"Maybe we can come back, some time," Carolyn remarked as they headed away from the island. She had been taking pictures but was trying to capture the current image in her mind.

"I'm sure that we will, my dear." Her husband was working the sails and then sat at the tiller to guide the vessel.

"We'll head back to St. Thomas and stay overnight there before making our way back to San Juan." Captain Gregg glanced over to the compass and made a slight course adjustment.

"I would like that, Daniel. Will we stay in the same bay?" She sat by her husband at the tiller.

"Yes, if there is room." He put his free arm around his wife's waist. Her new tropical perfume filled his senses.

Carolyn leaned into her seaman and eventually dozed off laying on his lap. She rested her hand across the baby. He used the opportunity to lay his hand on hers, lacing their fingers. They were jointly touching their unborn child. It sent chills bumps through the Captain and he marveled at the feeling.

When they approached the bay at St. Thomas, it was easy to see that there was plenty of room available for their craft. The still waters inviting them in, Daniel tethered the cutter to a buoy and put the deck in order for the evening.

"Do we have time to eat at the ethnic restaurant in Charlotte Amalie?" Carolyn asked. It became a favorite place for her to eat.

"If that is what you would like, then we will take the time, my love." He drew her close and they popped into the town behind an older building.

The couple shared a dinner for two of the cultural cuisine. Much to their delight, they found a place selling ice cream cones. Lovingly, they fed one another the dripping dessert. It brought back the memory of eating ice cream and pickles in bed. A night that neither one would forget.

The evening was warm but not hot. Carolyn was recalling their wedding in San Juan. She was never sure if remarriage was in her future, let alone an exotic wedding and honeymoon until she met her Captain. Carolyn loved her husband more than any man she had ever known. Daniel was certain that no woman in his time or hers could hold a candle to his modern wife. He blessed the day that she walked into Gull Cottage. Carolyn was his everything.

The two popped back to the cutter and Carolyn began her nightly routine, before retiring. Not finding her hairbrush, she went topside to see if she left it on the deck. Using a flashlight, she searched in the darkness. The Captain had not realized that she had left the cabin. He was engrossed in working on the bilge pump that had stopped functioning.

It caught her unaware. The boom came loose and swung around from behind, knocking her overboard. She wasn't wearing her life jacket. Carolyn thrashed and flailed in the seawater before sinking beneath the surface. Her fright hit Daniel like a freight train and he was knocked over. In one move, he was on his feet and topside.

"Carolyn!" he called out. With no response, the only place that she could be was under the water.

Captain Gregg dove into the dark waters in search of his wife. Using his ghostly powers, he located her motionless form. With Carolyn in tow, he burst through the water and was back up on deck. She had no breath and lay limp. Daniel dematerialized and merged with his wife, becoming one with her. He took in mock breaths which caused her lungs to expand and deflate. Carolyn began to cough, expelling the seawater from her body. Daniel felt her every sensation. He felt what it was like for his wife to be at death's door. He drew himself out of her and became corporeal once again.

He turned her face side down. She coughed and sputtered more seawater from her lungs. Both were trembling. Daniel Gregg was at a loss for words and simply kept his arm around Carolyn as she continued to cough and gasp. Exhausted, she laid on the deck. He lovingly stroked her wet hair and back. His raw emotions flooded their pathway and washed over Carolyn. After several minutes her breathing seemed to normalize. He carried her below and locked the hatched behind him.

"Are you going to be alright, Carolyn?" he softly spoke, but his voice was shaky.

She nodded and stayed silent, her heart still racing from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her seaman found towels and began drying her off. His hands were still trembling, and his face wore the fear and grief that he felt inside. Daniel changed her clothes and she collapsed on the bed cushion. Any questions would wait until morning. Daniel gave her all of the strength that he could muster. Holding his wife in his arms he became semi-transparent and gently became one with her again. He would be there if she needed help to breathe. They closed their eyes and Carolyn went into a soothing, relaxing sleep by way of her husband. The barrier around her mind was also set in place.

The Captain went into a deep state of concentration as he held his precious wife. Slowly and carefully, he scanned the surrounding area with fine precision. A second and third time, he scanned. Finally, there it was. Like a tiny mosquito on a screen door or a needle in a haystack, he discovered a dark shadow in their area. It was deliberately trying to keep its presence hidden. Now Captain Gregg had a sense of what was out there. He continued to monitor both his wife and the dark presence.