Chapter 16

Father Antonio was waiting for them in the wine cellar, keeping his mixed feelings well under control and hoping the other Fathers who'd advised him were correct in their theories and the other stories he'd read had been just that stories with a bit of truth in them. He noted the quietness of the group and then helped lit the lanterns and followed them into the caves. When they got to the cave where Ben and Maria used to stay, Carmen dropped back and sat on a ledge telling them she could feel the extra ghost knew he was friendly and glad to see them.

Antonio made a small altar and they stood in a semi circle on one side of the altar. Meg got out a photo and book she knew Tim cherished. Maria got out a photo, and necklace she found in Tess's wooden box. Lastly Ben had the ship in the bottle that Maria had bought the day before. They put them on the floor opposite them so they completed the semi circle in front of the Altar then Antonio gave the sign of the cross and a blessing and felt a strange calmness all around him.

Then Ben, his voice soft and full of respect knowing this was the right thing to do faced where he'd put the ship in the bottle and said. "We have bought things that belong to Tess and Tim to represent them. We will keep their memories safe and we will bury them side by side at the Mission here in Sunset Beach. Sir, we know you are Captain Frederick Johnson and from the records of the shipwreck you were respected and loved by crew and friends. Thank you for helping us."

There was a ripple in the air and a figure facing them started to materialise near to the ship in the bottle. The man was dressed in well worn captain's jacket, shirt and trousers, he was just over five and a half feet tall, well built with dark, touched with grey hair and beard, his face was round. They all saw the family likeness in the eyes which carried a gentle mischief and the smile of love and kindness. Ben smiled recognising him from a very old photo he had seen as a child and when he carried on speaking his voice was touched with the love of the stories he'd been told.

"Sir, you were the only one who was lost that night in the storm everyone else was rescued by local fishermen. They held a special service for you. The youth you helped save because of your influence treated everyone with respect and love and grew up to be a fine sailor and captain. I would like to place this ship in a bottle in the Mission in your memory. Your sister missed and loved you very much; she found love in her husband and family. The truth was found out and you name was cleared the lady you loved found another who kept her safe and loved her. I hope you had happiness; your family home was a place where I was welcome and found love. Go in peace and find your shipmates, friends and family.

Frederick smiled feeling the strange bond of family with this man spoke his voice was deep and gentle. "Thank you. I'm glad Sophie found happiness and my fiancée was safe and love … gave love. I had no choice but to leave. Your family will be proud of you, young man. You know Candy was a loving cat but was always disappearing." His gentle laugh at the end as he remembered the cat and its bond seemed to sweep around them. Then he knelt down and put out a hand to touch the ship in the bottle, but it went through it, and he shook his head sadly. He stood up and stepped back slightly feeling his time was over, his friends needed their time now.

There was another ripple in the air and Tess and Tim shimmered into view, they stood holding hands looking a little apprehensive. Ben smiled pleased it wasn't all in his imagination and that they could feel each other and addressed them.

"Tess and Tim, I am sorry for your deaths by my brother's hand and thank you for your help in saving me. I understand and forgive you. Go in peace together."

Not sure whether they should speak the ghosts stayed silent but nodded thanks feeling slightly better knowing two others had to speak yet.

Meg smiled seeing the couple together, she had believed Ben but was still surprised they turned out to be real and said "Tim I will always remember the love and friendship of our childhood go in peace with Tess."

Tim nodded knowing the hurt he'd caused her on her wedding day and after would be forgiven in time but now their childhood love would be enough to give them both what they needed … wanted.

Maria using the others calmness to anchor her own mixed feelings carried on. "Tess I forgive the hurt that you caused. Thank you for the gift of Benjy. I will look after him, he knows you love him. Go in peace with Tim."

Tess nodded feeling her understanding and turmoil and knew words would not be needed.

Antonio trusting in his beliefs and their love completely recited the prayers, blessing and naming the ghosts in turn.

As he finished and the three Ghosts were smiling their thanks, a warm breeze, with a thread of light entered the cave spiralling around the three Ghosts gathering and gently changing them, their auras mixed, showing many colours around three small silver flames of energy which were then gentle swept out of the cave back towards the sea.

The ones left behind stood in silence as everything returned to normal and they realised what had happened.

Carmen smiled at Antonio and said gently to the others. "They have gone to a good place and found happiness. It is time to look forward and remember them in peace. Ben, your employees are waiting to welcome you home."

oxoxo

As Antonio said the prays Fredrick, Tim and Tess felt peace wash through them, and smiled their thanks as he finished. Then for a moment they felt a flash of fear as a tingle sensation rippled through them and they felt the breeze and were bathed in a bright light. But then they felt the warmth of the breeze and its gentleness as they seemed to melt into one another and yet still stay an individual.

Tess and Tim heard the word "Come" echo lightly in the breeze and recognised it as the lady they had seen in Vancouver. Frederick recognised his twin's voice and they followed it willingly.

They felt the restrictions and darkness of the passageway of the cave then they burst out into the open where they could hear the sea and knew the open space of the beach and were joined and enveloped by a great feeling of friendship, love, recognition and peace.

oxoxo

Back in the cave Meg said gently to Ben as they gathered everything together "Now I know where that gentleness comes from, your mother's love, we can find out more about Frederick later join the family back together again." Ben smiled in the flickering light as Antonio moved one of the lanterns and handed it to him. "Yes in a day or so." He needed things to settle get his own peace of mind back and took her hand and led everyone out of the caves back into The Deep.

As they walked carefully along the pathway Maria said uneasily as everything had sunk in. "I know Frederick was a friendly ghost but does he still watch us? I mean, are they all around us now Mama?"

Carmen gave gentle laugh of understand and reassured her. "They have moved on and will come to us as memories now nothing more. You are still edgy from your experience with Derek let time wash the fears away. They helped you, you have nothing to fear."

Maria felt Antonio's hand on her arm and as they walked back into the cellar he said quietly "We are all here to help you. Talk to me later, for now just let the day take over. Ben, Meg the same goes for both of you." He knew this experience was changing him making him more settled and there would be more questions.

In the main room of The Deep they were greeted warmly by a few staff, Roger stepped forward giving them drinks which they took, as he handed Ben his he said. "Welcome home Boss!" which was echoed by the others and as the general chatter started Roger commented quietly with a grin. "There's a pile of things for you to deal with when you're ready."

Ben smiled hearing the normality of it and knew he could put it off for while. "No! You're in charge for a couple of days at least. I've got other things to sort out such as one nephew for starters. That sounds strange, nephew not son." He looked across as Maria and asked. " I suppose can't we get him out of school."

Maria replied. "Yes he's only there for this morning; they had a special project he did not want to miss. So we could take the long route round if you wish and pick him up."

Ben looked confused and Meg enlightened him "After we've been to the Mission I thought we could visit Sunset Sisters, then we could pick up Benjy from school if your feeling very strong Shock Wave for lunch. If not we will just go to the Mission and then back to Tyus for a rest, and Maria will bring Benjy later. If your extremely good Surf Central tomorrow morning."

Ben looked a bit sheepish and admitted "Umm... Hank I think I will leave for another day" then gave a slow smiled adding quickly. "But your Mum's cooking that's a different matter, how about ringing Joan for a take out lunch with Benjy at the hospital."

As Meg looked at Ben she realised his shield of confidence had slipped for a moment and his tiredness and nervousness around people showed and he was still recovering from everything. She took his arm pulled it gently around her waist bringing him closer to her and reached up kissing him lightly on the cheek knowing it would help him and said gently. "It's okay. We will start to walk out Antonio and Maria will follow there's no need to say anything. We will light the candle at the Mission then take you back to Tyus."