Chapter 14

It was late at night, or rather early in the morning, around 2am and Carolyn was fast asleep, huddled in bed. It was a chilly night and at some point during her sleep, the blankets had moved and had left her lying only half covered by the warm blankets, shivering slightly.

As if by magic, the blankets that had been tossed aside floated into the air and then gently lowered to cover her from the cool air.

Carolyn settled warmly, still asleep and much warmer now.

The Captain appeared standing beside the bed, looking down at her with an openly loving, silent gaze.

He sat slowly and ever so gently on the side of the bed, hoping that he didn't wake her.

Fortunately, Carolyn didn't wake as he reached over to adjust the covers over her shoulder. He brushed his cold fingers against her skin for the briefest of moments and felt her faintly shudder at his touch.

"Do forgive me for lying to you, Carolyn," he whispered to her. "I fully intend to tell you all…eventually. All I ask is a little time," he said. "You deserve far more than I can ever give you, but I promise you, I am doing all I can."

She shifted in her sleep and moved closer to him, as if she knew, even in her sleep, that he was there.

"Now, don't look at me like that, dear lady. I know perfectly well that I'm quite the scoundrel for keeping the truth from you," he admitted, sounding remorseful. "Just a little more time, Carolyn, that's all I ask," he added in a whisper.

Then, he sighed mournfully and rested his hand over one of hers which was peaking out of the covers. He laced his fingers with hers and sat there, unmoving and silent for a moment. When he felt her stir, he vanished into the dark room.

Carolyn blinked open her tired eyes and glanced around. What she was expecting to see, she wasn't entirely sure, but she was absolutely certain that she had felt something.

She reached out and switched on the bedside lamp and saw that the room was empty.

"Captain?" she spoke, still looking around. "Daniel?" she tried again. "Are you there?" she asked.

When she received no answer, she was left with only the thought that it had been her imagination or a dream.

With a sigh and a shudder at the cool air, she turned off the light then snuggled back under the covers and closed her eyes.