CHAPTER 8

After locating the U.S. Forest Service's field office in Skeldale and purchasing their $3 permit to harvest a Christmas tree on national forest land, Brad Williams headed the new station wagon west on state route 302. Their destination was the southern end of the White Mountains, part of the ancient Appalachian chain. They stopped once for gas and a restroom break and took advantage of a local café to purchase box lunches. Then they were off again, Candy and Jonathan's enthusiasm only slightly diminished because they hadn't figured on such a long car ride.

After another hour's drive they reached the entrance to the national forest region, found a developed campsite with a parking area and reality began to sink in as far as their little adventure's level of difficulty. Regulations stated they had to hike up a mountain side at least 200 feet before they could locate and cut down a tree with a trunk size of six inches or less. The recent nor'easter blizzard had left two feet of fresh snow in the mountains and drifts blocked the access trails. The day had begun with sunshine but dark clouds now began to slide down from the highest peaks, a few snowflakes floated amongst the trees as the temperature dropped. Grandpa Brad decided his responsibility was to be the driver. He would wait with the car when Daniel took the kids on the trek up the hill. He apologized and explained the cold was aggravating his arthritis, no sense in crippling himself. He wished them luck and to have fun. Daniel grabbed the equipment and handed the small saw to Candy. "Make sure it gets to our tree the same time we do," he warned. Jonathan reached for the hatchet and pouted when Daniel refused to let him touch it. "I expect your mother wants me to return you with the same number of fingers and toes that you had when we left home this morning."

The children started with whoops of youthful energy but soon the inevitable began. "This snow is too deep!" "I've got snow in my boots!" "I'm cold." "How much further do we have to go?" "The fake tree in the store was pretty." Daniel gritted his teeth and tried to urge them on with words of encouragement. "Come on, boyo. You can do this!" "Your mother will be so proud of you two when she sees the beautiful tree you bring home." They had to stop and catch their breath often as they staggered up the steep incline, Daniel lifting his charges up and over some drifts. He was leery about the possibility of them stepping and sinking into a snowbank up to their necks. Candy dropped the handsaw once and they had to dig down to find it. She got entangled in snow-covered branches, tripped and did a face plant. Daniel quickly gathered her up and brushed the snow away from her face and hair but Candy's mood had soured completely. A few steps later Jonathan noticed he had lost a mitten and started to sniffle. He let loose with the family's favorite curse, "Blast!"

Captain Daniel Gregg realized his role needed to change from fearless leader to 100% father. His children were cold, wet, tired and miserable. It was time to wave the white flag of surrender. The trio half tromped; half slid on their backsides down the mountain without a tree in tow. Grandpa Brad had watched their painful progress up the hill and their sorry retreat. He had the car's heater on full blast when the kids trudged up to him. He gave them a consoling embrace. "Don't feel too bad, kiddos. You gave it a valiant effort." Brother and sister collapsed into the backseat with forlorn expressions. Brad closed the door and turned to Daniel Gregg. "You know, Captain…a thought occurred to me."

Daniel ran a tired hand through his tousled locks, stretched his aching back and frowned up at the sky and the falling snowflakes. "Oh? What is that?" He looked into the car to see the kids attacking the box lunches of turkey and ham sandwiches on pumpernickel bread.

"About two towns back we passed a Christmas tree farm. Pre-cut trees, cut your own or they'll do it for you with a chainsaw." He raised his eyebrows, "What do you say?"

"We shall fight again another day," Daniel sighed. "Lead the way."

Two and a half hours later with their lunch eaten and a freshly cut blue spruce tied to the roof rack the expedition set a course for Schooner Bay and home. Brad pulled into the gas station in town to make sure Carolyn had a full tank when next she needed the car. Daniel escorted the children across the street to the drugstore, Jonathan was adamant they needed a box of candy canes to add to the tree ornaments and Daniel couldn't remember if all the strings of Christmas lights worked after they were removed from the tree the previous year. He thought it prudent to pick up another box or two. As they passed the gumball machine by the entrance, Jonathan once again stopped and stared in fascination. Daniel looked with fondness on the boy he considered his son. He reached deep down in his pants pocket and pulled out a handful of coins and poured them into the youngster's hand. "Get as many as these coins will buy. Make sure you share with your sister, young man." He left the kids outside and went into the store in search of tree decorating supplies.

A short while later Gull Cottage's front door open and two tow-headed children raced inside, kicking off snow boots and shedding coats, hat and scarves. "Hang up your stuff!" Martha hollered from the kitchen.

"Yes, ma'am!" came the chorus.

Carolyn came down the stairs. "Quiet now," she shushed them, "your grandmother is taking a nap." She gave each child a quick kiss on the head in greeting. "So? Did you find our Christmas tree?"

"Yup," they nodded in tandem. Candy explained further. "Grandpa and Captain are taking it off the car now." She held up a small box. "We got candy canes!"

"I see that," Carolyn mirrored her daughter's grin. "Now don't eat all of them before we get a chance to decorate the tree tonight, honey."

"We won't!" they both promised. They started up the stairs but Jonathan stopped and faced his mother. "Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"I lost a mitten."

"You did? Well, sweetie. I'm glad it was just a mitten and not your finger." She gave him a consoling smile.

"Hey! That's what Captain Gregg said," he brightened.

"The Captain's a smart man."

"That's why you love him, right?"

Carolyn smiled tenderly and reached up to stroke her son's hair, pushing back the bangs from his forehead. "Well, that's one of the reasons. You and Candy love him, too, don't you?"

Jonathan flashed his toothy grin. "Yeah, he's the best dad ever!" At that declaration he turned and dashed up the stairs.

Carolyn folded her arms across her chest and stepped out onto the veranda. She was just in time to meet her father and Daniel carrying the tree up the steps. She held the front door open for them and the hall was immediately enveloped in the fresh scent of pine. The men leaned the tree in the corner. Daniel and Carolyn greeted each other with a quick but tender kiss on the lips. "Success, I see!" she noted.

"Of course, was there any doubt?" Daniel stood taller and gave her his most charming smile, jutting out his chin as he did. "I'll fetch the tree stand from the cellar." He spun on his heel and headed for the kitchen.

Carolyn gave the tree the once over from top to bottom. "Uh, Dad?"

"Yes honey?"

"I thought you had a hatchet and hand saw."

"We did," he took off his jacket and opened the hall closet to find a hook.

"Funny, this tree trunk looks like it was cut with a chain saw."

Brad closed the closet door. He feigned ignorance. "It does? Imagine that."

The Captain emerged from the cellar. "Found it! Now, love, where do you want to set up the tree?"

"Care to explain?" Carolyn pointed at the neatly sawed-off trunk of the six-foot spruce.

"Yes, well…the children weren't quite up to the task of mountaineering. Miscalculation on my part, I'm afraid. Subsequently I made the command decision to alter our course to Bennett Family Christmas Tree Farm. The children did pick out this tree, though. Magnificent, wouldn't you agree?" he placed his arm around her waist as he gazed proudly at his hard won, in a roundabout way, evergreen prize.

She laughed out loud. "It certainly is! It's beautiful. No matter where it came from." Brad stepped next to Daniel and the men exchanged a hand-shake. The future in-law's bond was now firmly cemented. Despite a tinge of melancholy over this being her final Christmas at the home she loved, Carolyn Muir was determined to enjoy every minute of it now that her family was whole again.

Martha once again produced a feast for the household, serving up a macaroni and cheese casserole side dish to go along with her delicious baked chicken and tossed green salad. The mood at the table was jovial as outside a fresh layer of powdery snow cascaded down from the heavens. It was Jonathan who caused the grown-ups to pause. "So…are we like a real family now?" The conversation stopped.

Carolyn was slightly taken aback by her son's question. "Jonathan…sweetheart…we've always been a family. You know that." She gave a tentative smile to everyone at the dining table.

"Yeah…I know…but are we a real family, like the other kids at school have?"

"Honey, I guess I just don't know what you mean. We are as real as we can be."

Candy came to her brother's aide. "He means are you and Captain gonna get married? Is Captain gonna be our dad? Are we going to have a mother and a for real father now?" Daniel and Carolyn looked across the table at one another in quiet understanding. She gave an almost imperceptible nod of her head, encouraging him to speak.

He cleared his throat and laid his fork down on his plate. Martha, as well as the children eagerly leaned forward in their seats, awaiting his reply. "Would that make you two happy? You wish for us to marry and be a real family as you define it?"

The triumvirate of Candy, Jonathan and Martha were in sync. "Yes!" they shouted.

"Well then," Daniel chuckled. "I gather we'd better make that happen. Tell me, children, what do you suppose I should do next…that is, assuming your mother is agreeable to the idea of marriage?" His loving gaze met Carolyn's own look of adoration.

Jonathan and Candy's anxious eyes darted to Carolyn. "Oh, I am," she quickly assured them. "Yes, Captain Daniel Alexander Elias Gregg, I accept your proposal."

"It's actually Daniel Elias Alexander Gregg—but no matter," his smooth baritone teased her in correcting her slight goof. "Alright, before these witnesses… we are now betrothed."

Jonathan turned his mother. "What does that mean, Mom?"

"It means the Captain and I are formally engaged. We are going to get married." At the opposite end of the table, Emily Williams reached over and held her husband's hand. "Congratulations, sweetheart, that makes your father and I very happy! You've been alone now too long."

Carolyn disagreed and shook her head gently. "Mom, I haven't been alone. I've had Martha and the kids all along and Daniel and I…."

Emily interrupted with a wave of her hand. "Darling, you know what I mean. I'm so glad the Captain came into your life."

A shy smile and a single tear formed in Carolyn's shimmering eyes. "He came into all our lives, didn't he, kids?

"Uh huh," Candy said happily.

"Hey!" Jonathan had a checklist in his head. "Captain aren't you supposed to give mom a 'gagement ring?"

Candy rolled her eyes. "EN-gament ring, Jonathan, engagement."

"That's what I said," he insisted. "Anyhow, Captain. Did you get Mom a ring?" Carolyn wanted to know the answer as well. She looked at Daniel and batted her eyelashes coquettishly.

The Captain frowned in reply. "Oh, I am sorry. I don't happen to have a ring on me at the moment. But say, Jonathan…didn't you report earlier you procured a ring of sorts from the prize machine at the drugstore?"

Jonathan was doubtful. "Yeah, but it's just a dumb old H.R. Pufnstuf ring. That show isn't even on anymore."

"No matter, may I borrow it and give it to your mother?"

"I guess so. I think it's in the green prize capsule."

"Good lad! Will you run and fetch it for me?" Daniel had a twinkle in his blue eyes. Jonathan pushed away from the table and hurried to his box of treasures which contained at the moment; a dried Monarch butterfly specimen, a small pocket knife his Grandpa Ralph Muir had given him and cautioned him not to let his mother know he had, a few rock hard pieces of pink Bazooka bubble gum and his newly acquired plastic prize capsules from the gumball dispenser. He snatched the green egg and hurried back downstairs.

Meanwhile at the table, Carolyn couldn't resist teasing Daniel. "A 25₵ toy ring? Why darling, you shouldn't have! The new car was more than enough."

The sea captain looked up as Jonathan buzzed his way back to his side at the table. "Here it is Captain—hey, can we call you dad, now?"

Daniel put his finger to his lips in the nonverbal sign for "Quiet". He took the little plastic bubble from Jonathan. The youngster edged his way over to stand in between his grandparents. Daniel got up and moved to Carolyn's side sitting in the chair Jonathan had vacated. "Carolyn, love of my life, will you accept this…H.R….," he squinted and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Uh…"

"Pufnstuf," Candy reminded him helpfully.

"Yes. Please accept this fine H.R. Pufnstuf ring," he smiled and paused for a moment and then went on, "as a symbol of my undying love and devotion to you and your children."

"Our children," she gently but firmly declared.

"Yes, our children." Daniel handed her the toy ring container.

Carolyn giggled. "I hope it at least fits on my pinkie," she pried the capsule apart. The ring was cushioned on a cotton ball. She gasped at what she saw. "Daniel!" She was looking at a gold wedding band, bejeweled by a two carat round diamond centered between two smaller stones. She clutched the small case and slid over to sit on Daniel's lap, her arms encircling his neck and shoulders.

Jonathan was confused. "I didn't even know Mom watched that show." He looked sideways at his grandfather.

Daniel gave a hearty laugh and hugged Carolyn tightly. She loosened her embrace to move her lips to his in a loving kiss, her fingers gently caressing his hair where it lay in curls at the base of his neck. The family clapped and cheered as he took the ring and placed it on ring finger of her left hand, Bobby Muir's wedding band long since relegated to her jewelry box.

"This calls for a toast!" Emily suggested with glee. "Is there champagne?"

Martha thought a moment, "We have sparkling cider and 7-Up in the icebox, will that do?"

"Absolutely! This is simply marvelous! Why, we have a wedding to plan, Brad! Our daughter is getting married!" she gushed. "There's so much to do! Reserve a church and reception hall, order invitations, flowers, hire a bakery to make their wedding cake! What do you think, sweetie?" She asked Carolyn, "plan for a June wedding?"

Carolyn suddenly looked introspective and went quiet. She regarded Daniel for a moment. His facial expression grew clouded and his eyes silently questioned hers for meaning. "No." she said simply.

"No?!"

"No." She went on to explain herself. "I mean, Mom…I don't want to wait until June to marry Daniel. I want to be married in the home where we first met and fell in love."

Brad was the confused one now. "I thought you told us you two met in a Washington D.C. hotel lobby or some such?"

Emily frowned and shushed her husband. "Go on, dear."

"It's just that…we have to vacate Gull Cottage by the end of January, our lease is up and the house has been sold."

Candy and Jonathan looked stricken at the news. "We have to move?!," Candy moaned.

"Honey, it'll be okay as long as we're all together," Carolyn assured her saddened daughter. She turned her attention back to her captain. "I want to marry this man," she placed her forehead to Daniel's briefly, "as soon as possible. I don't want to waste a minute. I'd marry him tonight if I could."

"Oh, but dear…"

"Mom, everyone I love in the entire world is here in this room at this moment, the exact same people I want at our wedding. You and dad will be leaving after Christmas. It just makes sense to me to have a nice, cozy ceremony while you are here—maybe on Christmas Day—in the home I love to the man I love." She tightened her arms around Daniel. "What do you think?"

"Sounds wonderful to me," He gave her a playful peck on the nose.

Martha reached into the cupboard to find some suitable glasses for the toast. "Well, I'll be jiggered! A Christmas dinner and a wedding reception rolled into one?" She thought on it for just a few seconds. "Easy as pie! Why it's only two days before Christmas. Plenty of time if all hands are on deck, as Captain says!" She looked down and saw Scruffy prancing about reacting to the room's energy of happy excitement. "Isn't that right, Scruffy Wuffy?"

Scruffy barked and barked in a resounding dog version of 'certainly'.