The Schooner Bay Home for Invalid and Indigent Seamen:

Fortuna Figg Grover

Chapter 6:

February 1875

It was nearly a year to the day after the Cooper-Grover wedding that Phyllida delivered her son, August Asa Cooper. Fortunately, instead of being known as "A.A. III", he would be known for the rest of his life as "Augie" Cooper. And his parents decided to end the practice of using "A"-names for their sons; instead, their next child was Belinda Betty, then came Carmen Corinne, Douglas Daughtry and finally Eva Esther.

The two families had gathered in the parlor while Carolyn and Amy attended to Phyllida. The younger Cooper paced back and forth while his father and father-in-law spoke quietly about business. Jane Cooper kept herself busy making sure that those waiting had food and Fortuna sat quietly, worrying about her daughter.

Being a first born, it took Augie a while before he made his grand entrance. Tension had built up in the parlor, but when his first cry was heard, there was general rejoicing. In less than 15 minutes Amy came downstairs to make her important announcement and the men-folk immediately lit their celebratory cigars.

Fortuna actually hugged Jane Cooper before falling back in her chair. She hadn't realized how hard she had been holding on to its arms and how erect and stiffly she had been sitting before. The waiting had actually been exhausting, but now she could finally breathe again.

Daniel Gregg had been in the parlor at times during the long day and night of waiting, although he kept himself hidden, watching from besides the fireplace. Both Carolyn and Amy had sensed his nearby presence and exchanged knowing glances but said nothing. This was not an appropriate time to tell Phyllida that there was a ghost visiting her house.

Carolyn had made her peace with Captain Gregg after the rainbow, and she suspected that his presence was for Fortuna's benefit. She trusted the captain when he told her that he had resolved his feelings for the other woman and would only show himself to her if she needed his guidance. He had been quite clear that Fortuna was trying hard to reform herself, and while it would take years, if ever to learn to be a loving and giving person, she had already made some progress. Many people in Schooner Bay had noted that she was much quieter than she had been in the past and more inclined to keep her opinions to herself. The fact that she was allowed in her daughter's house said volumes.

Fortuna leaned back in her overstuffed chair and closed her eyes for a moment. She smiled thinking about the little baby and remembering the feel and smell of a newborn. Daniel took that moment to whisper into her ear;

"Congratulations Fortuna. Aren't you glad that you didn't walk into the Bay that day? You would have missed this, you know."

She opened her eyes and looked around.

"No one can see me, not even you, because I do not wish it. I only came to give you my good wishes on this happy occasion and to encourage you to keep working on becoming a better person."

And then he was gone.

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It was early morning when Carolyn, Amy and their escorts returned to Gull Cottage. Martha, bless her heart, had hot chocolate and small sandwiches for them, but Carolyn refused her share, pleading exhaustion.

She entered her room to find Daniel waiting for her. It was snowing lightly outside, and her hair and her cloak had little beads of water on them, dancing like small diamonds in the light of the fire and the oil lamp. He carefully brushed some of the moisture from her hair and then took her cloak to hang up on the coat stand on the other side of her desk. He noticed that the heavy blue felt had seen better days and probably wasn't as warm as it should be for the cold New England winters. Carolyn deserved a warm new cloak, and preferably fur-lined. He knew, however, that she would never buy it for herself. He would speak to one of the Home's trustees about getting it for her, he decided. He had certainly left enough money for the gift.

Over the months, their intimate contacts had increased, and Carolyn thought nothing of changing out of her clothes in front of the specter. She had removed her skirt and was undoing the buttons of her shirtwaist when he came over to help. As she slipped out of it, he placed little soft kisses all along her shoulders. She turned and embraced him, falling into a deep kiss. After what felt like hours they separated.

"Oh my dear, you can drive a man to madness with your kissing," Daniel whispered into Carolyn's neck. "I will go and make my nightly rounds to check that he house is secured, and the crew is all asleep in their bunks. Then I will return to you and make sure you get the rest that you need."

Carolyn, however, drew him back into her arms. "But what if I don't want to go to sleep just yet?"

The End