The storm brought with it dropping temperatures and, as a result, the blossoming summer was having a setback. After the couple dried themselves off, Daniel threw kindling and a few logs on the fire, to take the chill off the dining room. The family had gone to so much trouble decorating for the day, they all wanted to enjoy it as long as they could. The unspoken plan was for them to spend the remainder of the evening appreciating Christmas in June.
The children, having failed to find something of interest to do upstairs, came down to the dining room hoping to play a game with everyone. Martha had to remind them it was a school night, and they needed to have supper first. If, and only if, there was time, they might be able to do something before going to bed. Knowing there was no point arguing, Candy and Jonathan settled by the tree and entertained themselves, until their services were required.
The women went to the kitchen to get the food out. After all the time Martha had spent getting ready for the Christmas feast, the evening meal would be the usual light Sunday evening leftovers – turkey sandwiches, cheese, fresh bread, fruit, and her award-winning cherry pie. Daniel corralled the children, and the three of them carried everything into the dining room.
For Candy and Jonathan, the meal was a continuation of the fun they'd been having all day. In addition to the good food and company, there were stories and other silliness that filled the room with love and laughter. Daniel and Carolyn held hands throughout the meal and exchanged contented smiles at the happiness surrounding them. Martha, appreciating the reception that even her leftovers received, was perfectly content as she participated in the frivolity.
Once the food had been eaten and the kitchen cleaned, Candy and Jonathan asked if there was time to play a game before they had to go to bed. Everyone was agreeable and, Carolyn, not wanting the evening to end abruptly after the children were down for the night, suggested they move the music box into the dining room so they could enjoy the music while they played. After Daniel sailed for Europe, she had been pleasantly surprised to discover that, not only did her birthday gift include 'their' song, "After Dinner Waltz," it had a selection of other waltzes that played in rotation. She was hoping that, bringing it into the room, would provide an opportunity to have a dance or two with Daniel.
The captain went to the living room to retrieve it with a smile on his face. At times, it seemed he could read Carolyn's mind, and he had no doubt they would be sharing several dances before the evening was over. He suspected she was just as eager to be in his arms as he was to be holding her.
Once the family had settled at the table, it was decided they would play the card game "Snap," so everyone could participate. All the cards of the deck would be dealt, and, in turns, the players would place a card face up in a discard pile, shouting "Snap!" when two of the same cards were laid consecutively. The person who shouted first would win all the cards in the pile. The player who had no cards left was out.
As play began, Daniel realized they were old hands at the game; even the children were quite capable. Normally a good card player himself, this night his attentions were not focused on the game. As was always the case when Carolyn was near, his thoughts were centered on her, and it didn't help that she was sitting comfortably by his side. The subtle fragrance of her perfume, their occasional 'incidental' contact, and the meaningful glances they shared served as an unavoidable distraction. In no time, he found himself the first player out of cards and contented himself with watching the others while they played on. He was enjoying the music in the background and was thankful to be living in an age when you could have music in your home without having to play it yourself.
Candy was the next player out and moved over to sit next to the captain. She smiled nervously at him and received a warm smile and hug in return as they watched the game. As a song from the music box was coming to an end, she touched Daniel's sleeve.
"Captain?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"Um . . . would you . . . do you think . . . would it be all right if . . . Captain . . . would you dance with me?" she asked quietly.
His eyebrows went up in surprise, but seeing the seriousness of her expression, he responded in the same manner.
"Miss Muir, I would be delighted to dance with you."
A smile lit up her face, and she blushed as he stood and formally offered his hand. The card game came to a halt as Carolyn, Martha, and even Jonathan stopped to watch them. Candy tentatively placed her hand in his, and he led her over to the side of the room that had been cleared when the extra leaves were removed from the table.
As the strains of Alfred Newman's "Terrace Waltz" began, Daniel bowed, Candy curtsied, and he took her hand in his. The height difference caused a momentary delay until they figured it out and began to dance.
After one, brief, false step, due to nerves, the young girl followed his lead easily. Daniel gave her the attention he would have given any other dance partner, despite the urge he had to look at her mother to share his joy. Someone had spent a great deal of time learning to dance, and he had no doubt Candy's beautiful, graceful mother was responsible for teaching her how to dance so well.
He assumed he was the young girl's first 'non-family' partner, although it was only a matter of time before he corrected that situation, and he couldn't have been more pleased. After several minutes of the basic steps, he carefully took her through a few elementary turns and received a radiant smile from her with each successful move. When the music faded, they formally stepped away from one another as their audience applauded.
Daniel carefully took Candy's hand and kissed it and thanked her for the dance. Unable to help herself, she threw herself at him, smiling from ear to ear. As he wrapped his arms around her, he lifted her and spun her around before lowering her to the floor.
"My dear girl, that was one of the loveliest dances I've ever enjoyed," he said kneeling in front of her. "I will cherish this memory as long as I live. I had no idea you were so accomplished."
"Thank you, Captain. Mom has been teaching me."
"She's doing a wonderful job. You will turn every head when you attend your first formal dance," he said smiling. "But," he said raising his index finger as he took on a serious tone. "You must refrain from throwing yourself into a young man's arms when a dance is over . . . that should be reserved for only me . . . for quite a few years yet."
When Candy looked at him, she caught the mischief in his eyes and started to laugh and hugged him again.
"All right; I promise."
"That's my girl," he said, laughing with her as she stepped away.
Carolyn and Martha were wearing smiles as wide as Candy's.
"Sweetheart, that was wonderful!" her mom exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you."
"You looked marvelous out there. You're as graceful as your mother," Martha added.
Candy ran over and gave both women a hug. Over her daughter's shoulder, Carolyn gave Daniel a grateful smile.
Jonathan, who had been winning before the interruption, had waited patiently for the dance to be over, but he was ready to get back to the game. He coughed loudly to get their attention, and everyone turned to look at him.
"It's your turn, Mom."
Biting back smiles, the women turned their attention back to the game and play resumed. Before the captain and his dance partner could sit down, Carolyn laid down her last card, the seven of clubs, which happened to match the seven of hearts sitting on top of the pile.
"SNAP!" Jonathan called out before anyone could react.
Smiling, he pulled all of the cards toward him.
"All right, card sharp, it's between you and me now. Let's just see who comes out on top," Martha remarked.
"I have the most cards, so I bet I beat you."
"House rules don't allow betting, but . . . I bet you don't," she teased.
Daniel and Candy sat down, and the seaman shared a smile with Carolyn as he took his place next to her. Reaching for her hand, he brought it to his lips, and continued to hold it as they turned their attention back to the game.
It was quite a show; the two 'card sharps' were really going at it. Discards where landing on the pile at an amazing rate, and Martha was using it to her advantage; her eyes following every card. The game finally came to an end when Jonathan discarded his last card. The housekeeper winked at him as she pulled the discard pile toward her and started straightening them. Having watched both players, Daniel was beginning to wonder if Martha really was a 'card sharp.'
"Gee, I'm glad there's no betting allowed here," Jonathan smiled.
"Just remember that young man," she warned him. "There is no certainty in gambling. It's best you only play for fun."
"That's sound advice, lad; I would take it to heart. Congratulations to you both. That was quite a game," Daniel said. "But, Martha, I believe you've been holding out on me."
"Oh, Captain, this is just a kid's game. You haven't seen anything yet," she looked up at him smiling, while her hands shuffled the deck with a dexterity and flare that caused his eyebrows to go up in surprise. She chuckled and winked at him as she put the cards away.
With the table cleared, Carolyn looked at the clock on the mantle and realized it was much later than she thought.
"All right, you two; it's time to get ready for bed. The captain and I will put Scruffy out and bring him with us when we come up to tuck you in."
"Awww, do we have to Mom? It feels like we should have off from school since we celebrated Christmas today," Candy asked.
"Yeah, can't we stay home tomorrow? We could celebrate Christmas again," Jonathan suggested.
"I know how you feel, but tomorrow it's back to school and work for all of us."
"Nice try mates," Daniel said, and winked at them.
They smiled and shrugged their shoulders as if to say, 'Oh, well, we tried.'
"Go on, now; it's late," their mom prompted them.
"Yes, ma'am. Goodnight Martha. Merry Christmas!" they smiled, hugging her.
"Goodnight children, and Merry Christmas to you," she said returning their affection.
With that, they left the room, and the adults heard Jonathan challenge his sister to a race upstairs. Her unspoken acceptance was confirmed by the sound of two sets of running feet fading down the hallway.
"It's been a long day; I think I'm going to get ready for bed myself," the older woman told them. "Do you want me to turn out the lights and blow out the candles in here?"
"No, I'll take care of everything, Martha. You've done more than enough today," Daniel told her. "Words don't begin to cover my gratitude, but thank you, my dear friend, for everything. It's been a long time since I've had such a festive Christmas, and I know I've never had such a celebration in June," he finished, hugging her and kissing her cheek.
"It was a family effort, Captain. We were happy to do this for you," she said blushing slightly. "Mrs. Muir, don't forget, tonight is a school night for you too."
"Yes, Martha," Carolyn smiled. "I don't think we'll be too much longer. The room is comfortable, and so beautifully decorated, I think, after the children are in bed, Daniel and I will stay in here until it's time for him to go back to town."
"Captain, you won't stay too long, will you?" the housekeeper asked.
"No, but I would like spend some time with Carolyn . . . If you don't mind."
Carolyn searched his face, wondering if something was on his mind, but he gave nothing away.
"No, I don't mind . . . as long as I can trust you both to be on your best behavior . . ." she said, letting the words hang in the air.
"Thank you, Martha," he smiled and gave her a slight bow.
She looked at the couple for some kind of confirmation of her request but only received a smile from both.
"All right, then, but don't make me regret leaving you alone," she said, heading toward the door. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," the couple replied together.
"Dear God, please help them behave," Martha said to herself, but loud enough to be heard, as she walked down the hall to her room.
Daniel slipped his arm around Carolyn's waist and kissed her hair, but she turned toward him and ran her hands up his chest and around his neck.
"So, you'd like to spend some time with me?"
"My love, I always want to spend time with you," he practically growled. "Right now, our time alone is difficult to come by, and there are one or two things that I'd still like to do tonight."
"Oh? Is everything all right?"
"Everything is better than all right," he said, pulling her closer. "Except . . ."
"Except?"
Suddenly, his mouth met hers in a way that Carolyn could feel its intensity down to her toes. When he broke the kiss, she had to cling to him for support. He kissed her hair again and added, "Except . . . this dog needs to be taken out," he teased, stepping away from her. "Come on, boy; outside."
Scruffy jumped up at the command and followed the leader of his pack out of the room, leaving his mistress alone, shaking her head.
XXXXX
For having only done it a few times, the captain felt like an old hand at tucking in the children. In a lot of ways, it reminded him of his own childhood, when he and Eliza were the recipients of the hugs, kisses, and occasional silliness that went on with his parents. Even after his father passed, and before Daniel went off to sea, the love and affection during the bedtime routine continued; his mam saw to it. He was determined to make sure his children had the same kind of happy memories to look back upon.
Because it was a school night, they skipped the horseplay and, after Candy and Jonathan were settled, started reading the next chapter of "The Mystery of Squirrel Island." Carolyn took the lead, while the seaman, with Scruffy dozing in his lap, found himself as engrossed in the adventure as the children. He'd read the beginning of the story, to get caught up with where they were, and had been sorely tempted to read ahead, to see how the adventure would end. Ultimately, he decided to wait, so he and his mates could find out together.
As the chapter came to an end, it seemed the children, and pup, were fast asleep. Cradling Scruffy in his arms, Daniel gently laid him in his basket, running his hand down his back, and receiving a grateful sigh in return. He joined Carolyn at Jonathan's bedside, and, together, they tucked the covers around the small boy again, knowing it wouldn't last. The youngest Muir was a whirlwind, whether he was awake or asleep.
Candy was snuggled under the covers, looking perfectly content, and the seaman watched her mother caress the girl's cheek before kissing her. He followed behind and gave his young dance partner another goodnight kiss on the forehead and then moved away to put the chairs back where they belonged. When he turned around, Carolyn was still standing at the foot of the bed, gazing at her daughter.
"A penny for your thoughts," he whispered from behind, as his arms circled her waist.
"Oh, Daniel, they're growing up so fast . . . especially Candy," she sighed, leaning against him. "Watching the two of you dance earlier was a startling reminder of that. I'm afraid it won't be long before she is attending her first formal dance."
"My love, it will be quite a few years before our little girl is that grown up," he assured her. "But we will have our work cut out for us when she is," he said softly as his lips brushed against her ear. "Candy is going to be as beautiful as her mother."
Carolyn smiled at him, over her shoulder, and received a sweet, gentle kiss for her efforts. Turning around to face him, she placed her hands on his arms and looked at him in mock seriousness.
"I suppose you have plans for any young men who show an interest in her?"
"Not at the moment, but I have a few years to think about it. I'm sure I can come up with something satisfactory that will frighten off any unworthy suitors."
"Which will be every boy who calls on her," she quietly teased him.
"Not every young man . . . but probably most of them."
"Daniel!"
"Carolyn, I will do whatever is necessary to ensure anyone who wants to spend time with our children is worthy of them."
Noting the change in his expression and tone of his voice, she realized he was thinking of his sister and caressed his cheek.
"My darling, I understand the way you feel, but young people . . . of any age . . . have a mind of their own. I can tell you from experience that the worst thing a parent can do is tell their son or daughter they can't do something or see someone."
"My love, both Candy and Jonathan are very bright and surely understand the importance of listening to their parents when it comes to such matters."
Carolyn looked up at him with a 'you just don't get it, do you' smile and shook her head.
"Daniel, I won't try to convince you now, but one day, in the not too distant future, I'm sure we will revisit this discussion," she said looking up at him, both her hands resting on his chest now. "In the meantime, I believe you wanted to spend some time with me before you went back to the Inn, or do I have that wrong?"
"No, you didn't get anything wrong. There are a few things I'd like to do before I leave," he said, kissing her softly. Looking down at the beautiful woman, who had captured him completely, he smiled and held out his arm. "If your arm is going my way, I'll give it a lift."
She smiled as she tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, and he led her out of the room.
As the door closed, Candy opened her eyes and smiled. "The captain said, 'our little girl,' and talked as if he was going to be around for a long time. I hope he is, but I wonder when he's going to ask Mom to marry him. I guess I'll just keep wishing and praying. Surely, he'll ask her soon."
With the possibility of what she wanted most in the world finally coming true, a broad smile crossed her face, and she snuggled further into the covers and quickly fell asleep.
XXXXX
When Daniel and Carolyn returned to the dining room, he put a small log on the fire and stirred the embers to help it catch. She watched him quietly, openly admiring the sight of him. Rising, he found her standing behind him and took her immediately in his arms. Moving from her lips, along her jaw, and south at her ear, he felt her body shiver when he reached the hollow of her throat.
"Carolyn, we're going to have to do something about these cold chills you keep having," he teased.
She smiled at him, and the mischief she found in his eyes.
"Trust me, Captain, there is nothing cold about these chills you're responsible for," she said as her hands found their way back to his chest. "And I wouldn't want you to do anything to keep me from having them."
"My love, that is the last thing I have in mind. You will still have chills but, 'one day,' I will love you so completely . . . so thoroughly . . . these shivers will be a minor thrill. I will have you in such a state, you will beg me not to leave our bed," he replied in a low voice. He'd said it with such certainty, she didn't doubt what he said was true. Then, he kissed her again, and the heat and desire it aroused caused a shiver, from her very core, that noticeably shook her. He looked at her and couldn't keep the pleasure out of his tone. "I haven't even begun and look at you."
Carolyn recognized his tone and took a moment to steady herself. When she looked up at him, her expression changed and she took up, what she considered, his challenge.
"So, you think I will be the one doing the begging?" she replied playfully.
"Don't you?"
She shook her head slowly, not taking her eyes off his. Instead of proving her claim, as he'd expected her to, she turned away from him and went over to the music box to wind the key. The opening notes of 'After Dinner Waltz' began as she walked back to him.
"Captain Gregg, may I have this dance?"
"Mrs. Muir, nothing would please me more . . . well almost nothing," he said, giving her a cocky grin and receiving a playful slap to his shoulder in return.
Chuckling as they stepped into each other's arms, they floated across the floor in perfect rhythm. They performed different twirls and spins throughout 'their' song but, when the next piece began, they danced less formally. The simple steps of the waltz changed, and their movements weren't much more than swaying together to the music. By the time the last note was played, the formality and distance required when in public had been discarded in the privacy of the dining room. Their bodies were as close as they could be and each kiss was deeper, and more demanding, than the previous one. Any claim that they were still dancing would have been met with disbelief, had anyone been watching. Martha would certainly have been standing by with a bucket of cold water.
Their close proximity caused his body to react as Carolyn had expected but, instead of playing into her plans, the effect she was having on him created her own internal struggle. Closing her eyes, she couldn't help expelling an audible sigh of frustration. Daniel pulled back and, seeing the look on her face, immediately understood. He felt the same way and knew they needed to do something to put them back on an even keel.
"I . . . ah . . . there's something . . . there's something I'd like to give you."
She looked up at him, and it was all she could do not to laugh.
"There is, is there?"
Seeing the expression on her face, and realizing the exact words he'd spoken, he began to chuckle, which prompted her to let loose and join him. When their humor subsided, Daniel hugged her close.
"I suppose I'll need to be more thoughtful in how I say things," he said, smiling. "My dear, I have another gift for you."
When she looked up at him with a raised eyebrow, he scolded her.
"Carolyn, you need to behave, or we'll never be able to have another conversation without one or both of us reading a double entendre into it. Now, stay here; I'll be right back . . . and behave."
She watched him leave the room and went over to the fireplace. A short time later, he returned carrying a package and was struck dumb by what he saw. Carolyn was in front of the fireplace, tending the fire, and the sight of her caused him to catch his breath. She was everything he'd ever hoped to find – beautiful, smart, clever, funny, playful, thoughtful – and so much more, and the way she made him feel was something no other woman had ever done before. Oh, how he wished they could give in to what they both desired.
Hearing him by the door, she turned and clearly recognized the look of longing on his face.
"You look lovely by that firelight, but then you look lovely in any light," he said, his voice husky.
"Thank you," she replied almost shyly.
Their eyes held as he walked toward her and, without breaking contact, they stepped into each other's arms.
"My God, how I love you," he growled unable to deny himself the taste of her.
The passion of the kiss shook them both and undid whatever Daniel had accomplished by leaving the room. Realizing what was happening, he pulled back with a pained expression on his face and stepped away from her. Their eyes held and, without a word, both understood there was only one way to resolve this longing they both felt. Despite all of their mutual teasing, it just couldn't happen. They couldn't give into their baser instincts – regardless of how much they wanted to.
Daniel fumbled with the package in his hand, which, after their brief encounter, was a little worse for wear and gave her a half smile. She knew the gift was the last thing either of them were thinking about.
"When . . . when we were blown off course last month, we docked in Morocco for a few days," he started, trying to pull himself together. "They . . . ah . . . they have incredible street markets there. You wouldn't believe the wide array of goods, and the vibrant colors. You would be amazed by it all. Anyway, one day, on my way back to the ship, I saw this hanging in one of the stands and knew you should have it."
He handed her the package; it was soft and light, and her curiosity was easy to read on her face. Opening it she gasped as the paper fell away, revealing a beautiful shawl made of rich silk. It had a cream background with vibrant flowers and buds in splashes of blue, burnt orange, and purple, with a cream-colored fringe, nearly a foot and a half long all the way around.
"Oh, Daniel!"
"The moment I saw it, I knew no one could wear it as you would," he said softly, taking it from her and placing it over her shoulders. "It is beautiful but is made more so by your radiance. My love, it couldn't belong to anyone but you," he finished, his hands resting on her shoulders.
She looked at him over her shoulder for a moment and then turned around, throwing her arms around his neck. The kiss she gave him threatened the equilibrium he was trying to maintain.
"Daniel, you shouldn't have. You've already given me that beautiful box and medallion."
"Carolyn, I believe a simple 'thank you' is the required response."
"Thank you, but . . ."
Her comment was cut short by his lips meeting hers. When she opened her eyes, he took her by the arm and led her to the mirror over the buffet.
"I want you to look at yourself . . . Now, look at the shawl. My love, you were meant to wear it," he said, taking several steps away from her.
Looking in the mirror, turning this way and that to see if from all sides, Carolyn smiled. Then, removing it from her shoulders, she adjusted the fold - just so - and whipped the shawl around herself, with as much flare as the matadors the captain had seen in Spain, and happily wrapped herself in it.
"Daniel, it really is lovely," she said. "Thank you."
"No 'but' this time?" he asked, moving closer.
"No 'but.'"
"Then you're welcome. I'm glad you finally agree," he said trailing kisses down her neck. "Now, come, sit with me," he motioned to the settee.
He put his arm around her as she settled against him. They were quiet for a few moments before he broke the silence.
"My dear, I can't thank you enough for what you, Martha, and children have done for me," he waved his hand around the room. "The celebration would have been more than enough; you didn't have to get me gifts," he said, holding her closer. Then, with humor in his voice, he added, "Although, telling Claymore not to come was very much appreciated."
"You don't have to thank us; we were happy to plan this celebration and make your gifts. It was fun for everyone. Candy and Jonathan always enjoy planning a surprise," she smiled up at him, her hand resting over his heart. "As for Uncle, as soon as I told him we were observing Christmas again, and exchanging gifts, he suddenly had something to do."
They chuckled together and shared a sweet, tempered kiss.
"I'm sure you know I haven't had a Christmas like this in a very long time. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it," he said, kissing the top of her head. "The last time I celebrated like this was my last Christmas with Mam and Eliza."
"I didn't know for sure, but I thought that might be the case," she said, gently running her hand down his arm and covering his hand with her own. "Daniel, we will always celebrate Christmas together . . . whether it's in December, June, or any other month. Just because you may be away on the actual date is no reason not to celebrate when you come home."
"Thank you, my love. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, but I'm hopeful that won't be necessary this year. I'm planning to be home for Christmas; that's why our stay in port is so short."
"Daniel, I don't want you to feel that you need to do that for us. Your profession is not one which allows you to plan that far into the future."
"I'm not doing it just for you and the children; I'll be doing it for myself as well," he explained, sitting up so he could look in her eyes. "Carolyn, I want us to build traditions with the children and make happy memories they can take into their adulthood . . . and we can take into our dotage."
She took his face in her hands and kissed him soundly.
"I want to do all those things with you too. You don't know how important it is to know that you want to take an active part in the children's lives."
"It's not only Candy and Jonathan's lives I want to take an active part in," he said softly.
She leaned into him for a kiss and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Daniel, you already know that, other than my dad, the children have never had a man give them the attention you do or take that much of an interest in them. I don't think you realize what an impact you've already had on all of us," she said, her hand finding its way to his chest again.
"Our first Christmas in Schooner Bay wasn't what we were used to, and I'd be lying if I said we didn't miss Mother and Dad," she explained. "But it was still a good day. You may not have been with us, but we still felt your presence. Perhaps it has to do with living in your house . . . I can't explain it, other than to say we feel loved here . . . and you are the reason why. Your existence is all around us, whether you're physically here or not."
"You make me sound like some kind of ghost," he chuckled, pulling her close.
"No, not a ghost . . . but certainly your spirit. It can be felt in every room of the house."
"I always knew, when the time came, I would be a super spirit."
Carolyn rolled her eyes.
"Oh, you! I have no doubt that a hundred years from now, well beyond the time we are in our dotage, you will indeed be a super spirit; just don't be in a rush to prove your point. I haven't even begun to love you the way you deserve to be loved here on earth."
"My love, rest assured, if my time were to come before yours, I would refuse to go," he said softly. "What would be the point? I have already found heaven on earth, right here with you."
Author's Note
This brings part two to an end. I hope you enjoyed this 'Christmas in June' story. It's been finished for more than a month, but I wanted to release it in December for obvious reasons. I am working on part three, which will bring a few familiar faces into the story, but have no idea how long it will be before it's ready.
I want to thank Mary, as always, for being my beta. She continues to be a great help in all aspects of writing about Daniel and Carolyn – from correcting my work, her feedback on the story itself, to her encouragement – the story wouldn't be what it is without her input.
To all of you, whether you leave a review or not, thank you. The feedback for this alternate universe storyline has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am humbled by your kind remarks and return visits. I hope I'm able to continue to hold your interest as Daniel and Carolyn's relationship moves along.
It seems appropriate, on this Friday before the 25th, to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and good health, joy, and love in 2020 (can you believe it's going to be 2020?). All the best. Peggy