Home Here with You, Part 3
Disclaimer: I don't own them and make no profit from this work of fiction. I'm merely borrowing the characters as originally brought to life by Edward Mulhare, Hope Lange, Reta Shaw, Kellie Flanagan, Harlan Carraher and Charles Nelson Reilly. The original novel the subsequent movie and television series was based upon was written by R.A. Dick.
AUTHOR's NOTES: Yes, you should read Part 1 of this trilogy if you want to know about the big changes to the lives of Captain Gregg and his beloved Carolyn. Please know my version of Daniel Gregg was personified by the irreplaceable Edward Mulhare who was born and raised in Ireland, as such my version of Captain Gregg is also of Irish birth and heritage. But please note-as you read and "hear" the Captain's voice in your mind—nothing has changed. He doesn't sound like Danny the fisherman or Sean Callahan with stereotypical Irish accents. No, he's our Captain Gregg as voiced by Edward Mulhare but he will use common Irish words or phrases from time to time in my stories. Also, Part 3 is a bit like Mrs. Murphy's chowder—there's a little bit of everything in it—so be prepared. As always, thanks to all the previous and current writers and readers of "Ghost & Mrs. Muir" stories. We do our small part in keeping this wonderful show and the people who made it for us- alive and well—if only in our imaginations and hearts.
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Carolyn Gregg was running herself ragged. She was double-checking what she had already double-checked. Scruffy was in the car with her parents on their way back to Philadelphia, most likely halfway home by now. The Williams would be puppy-sitting at their home for most of the summer. The family's suitcases were packed and at the ready in Gull Cottage's foyer. Carolyn had hovered over her kids and made sure they had packed all their necessities. She had stashed in her purse all the family's passports. It was the first bit of travel business she'd attended to once they had returned from their unexpected New York City vacation. She had fretted about getting photos taken and paperwork filed with the U.S. government in time for their documents to arrive before school ended and their overseas adventure could begin. She needn't had worried; their little blue booklets came in the mail at the end of April. Martha Grant assured her she was still in possession of her faculties and her own passport—despite her employer and friend's blatant attempt to drive her batty before their scheduled departure hour. At least that's what Martha said under her breath as she busied herself giving the houseplants one more good watering. She had commissioned Ed Peavey with the job of keeping her cherished African violets alive during the Gregg-Muir Family's road trip extraordinaire to Ireland for the next three weeks. She held slim hope Ed would remember his task while also supervising the beginnings of the home renovations. Daniel Gregg was upstairs in his beloved wheelhouse going over the blueprints with Ed one more time. The men were interrupted as Carolyn came upstairs, clipboard in hand and a pencil stuck behind her ear.
Daniel and Ed stopped their consultation to inspect the lady of the house's actions. She seemed to be checking for a lost item. "Can I help you, m'dear?" Daniel inquired with a curious smile as she buzzed around the attic.
"No, I'm fine. Just checking to make sure things are unplugged, put away properly for safe keeping, covered to keep the dust off, windows closed and locked. Just battening down the hatches, as you would say." She stroked his arm as she shuffled past the men.
Ed gave a dubious snort. "Don't expect too many burglars have the gumption to climb up three stories to break into a window, Mizz Gregg."
Daniel agreed. "Aye, I expect their first plan of attack would be the back door off the kitchen porch. That's been hanging with one hinge loose for a month or two." Daniel's long finger pointed at Ed's own clipboard and circled an item on the list of waiting repairs.
"Ayuh, got it listed right here," Ed assured him.
Carolyn paused long enough to look over the plans for the house once again. The major additions would be a master bath added to the "Captain and Mrs. Quarters", a new shower and tub installed in the old upstairs bathroom and a half-bath added downstairs, with pipes and sewer lines joined via a new addition to the home, extending out from the old wall confines. The kitchen would get new electric wiring to accommodate a new electric range, dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer and a new large capacity water heater and furnace was to be installed in the cellar. Equally important, Gull Cottage would get a badly needed new roof. Further down the list was a renovation of the wheelhouse to convert it into a "as needed" guest room wired for base board heaters for winter and an air conditioning unit for the rare sweltering Maine summer day. Carolyn and Daniel were still in discussion about the wheelhouse/attic. Daniel clung to the notion of it being his private sanctuary while Carolyn was of the opinion is would come in handy as a loft bedroom for visitors—be they family or friends. "Ed, I don't mean to second guess…but are you sure you and your men can handle this big of a project?" Carolyn bit her lower lip in timid worry which she failed to disguise.
"Don't you worry none, Miz Gregg. I ain't one to bite off more than I can chew in one gulp. I got subcontractors coming in special from Skeldale to help when it comes to making sure the wiring is up to snuff and tile specialists for the bathroom." Ed said confidently. "This 'ol gal will shine like a new silver dollar when we get her all done and fancied up. Why she'll be the Taj Mahal of Schooner Bay!"
Daniel slipped his arm around his wife's shoulders as she continued to question the lanky man in white workman's overalls. "And we've filed all the proper paperwork? Building permits are good to go?" she fretted.
Ed nodded and gave her a reassuring smile, "Yes ma'am. Sure are."
Daniel tightened his grip and nudged her towards the stairs. "Darling, sometimes you must have faith. We are off on our family honeymoon. I don't want you worrying about Gull Cottage. Ed is a professional and will be supervising professionals." He put extra confidence in his voice, trying to convince himself as well as his wife.
Carolyn looked back over her shoulder and gave the handyman a wan smile as her husband ushered her out of the wheelhouse and down to the landing. "Well, okay. I'll leave you men to it then…I think I'll go check to make sure our home owner's insurance policy is still in the locked fireproof safety box."
"If it makes you feel better—go to it, love." Daniel kissed her cheek as she started back downstairs. He took a deep breath and returned to the wheelhouse and Ed Peavey.
Down at the beach Candy and Jonathan Muir were doing the last bit of beachcombing before they headed to foreign shores. "I bet we won't even fall asleep tonight; we'll be too excited." Candy predicted.
"Yeah." Jonathan agreed.
"We'll be flying over the whole entire Atlantic Ocean!" she added for emphasis.
"Uh huh. So, if our plane crashes into the ocean do you think it will float? I wonder if I swim good enough now to handle swimming in the middle of the ocean?" he wondered. He picked up a stick of driftwood to toss but remembered Scruffy was not with them. He flipped it back into the onrushing waves.
Candy rolled her eyes again. Sometimes Jonathan said the dumbest things. "Jonathan, if our plane falls out of the sky and crashes into the ocean—you won't have to worry about swimming. You'll be dead and so will I."
"Oh, okay. So, I don't have to care about it then?" his tone brightened.
"Nope," his sister assured him.
"I wonder if we'll see a leprechaun?" It was his only thought about Ireland, his knowledge being composed of Captain Gregg's musings and commercials for Lucky Charms cereal and Irish Spring bath soap.
Candy giggled. "I think we've got a better chance of surviving a plane crash than seeing a real live leprechaun."
"Maybe…but it sure would be neat! Then he'd have to grant us three wishes or give us his pot of gold…something like that."
Candy laughed and threw her arm around Jonathan's neck in a sisterly half-hug. "Leprechauns! They're about as real as ghosts, Jonathan! Come on, we'd better get back up to the house. Don't want Mom to have a cow wondering where we are."
"Yeah, I hope she doesn't make us re-pack our suitcases again!"
"Me too! Let's go! Race yuh!" She took off at a sprint with her younger brother right on her heels.
The Muir children weren't the only ones who had a hard time falling to sleep that June night in 1972. Insomnia used to plague Carolyn but no longer. Now most nights she fell into a peaceful slumber, lulled to sleep by the sound of the distant surf and Daniel's gentle breath against her neck as he held her close in a tender embrace. But tonight, she was restless with excitement for the family's big adventure, she couldn't help but feel like a little kid herself as this would be her first trip abroad as it would also be for her children. In her college days her sorority sisters were often packing their luggage for summer trips to Europe or Acapulco on Spring Break all-girl getaways. Her parents did well enough affording her tuition with little leftover for frills. Carolyn earned her money for textbooks and room & board by working summer jobs and clerking at a department store over the holidays. After graduation there was marriage and babies and while her first husband Bobby often found excuses to travel for business—she remained at home with toddlers to care for, writing freelance articles in her precious spare time.
She tried not to disturbed her sea captain as she rolled over unto her back and stared up at the ceiling. She exhaled and smoothed the covers flat over her on this cool early summer night, her fingers twiddling restlessly. The more she willed herself to fall asleep the wider awake she became, her mind racing like a hamster on an exercise wheel. She carefully sat up and looked at the glowing hands of the alarm clock on the night stand. 2 a.m. She knew the following day would be a hectic whirlwind of travel via Schooner Bay's lone taxi van and four airports. She wondered about how her kids would manage the stressful day and night ahead and how they would react to the dreaded jet lag. Martha wasn't getting any younger either, and she and Daniel would be counting on her help for a significant portion of the trip if there truly was to be any genuine "honeymoon" time for them both. Carolyn finally surrendered to the inevitable and slipped out of bed cautiously as to not awakened Daniel. She wrapped herself in a thin robe and opened the French doors to the balcony. She took her favorite stance by the ship's wheel and inhaled deeply the fresh sea air. She closed her eyes and thought of gently rolling green hills, patchworked fields with stone walls and white-washed cottages with thatched roofs. The television station out of Portland had shown "The Quiet Man" on St. Patrick's Day and the film's images flooded her memory, combined with the stories Daniel shared with the family about growing up in a small village in County Cork. The minutes slipped by and before she knew it, she was relaxed and sliding into drowsiness as she leaned against the great wooden helm. The sound of the surf below became her calming lullaby.
Daniel Gregg stirred in his sleep and reflexively tightened his arm around Carolyn's waist. He staggered awake when his brain realized she was no longer beside him. He rubbed sleep from his eyes, glanced at the clock and then rolled to his side of the bed. Moonlight streaming in from the open balcony doors illuminated her gossamer-robed form. He padded quietly behind her and glided his arms around her slumping figure. "Sleep walking, my dear?" he crooned next to her ear. He rubbed his bearded cheek against the top of her head.
"Mm, couldn't sleep," she mumbled softly.
"I hardly think you'll get more rest standing out here. Come back to bed."
She turned in his arms and rested her weary head against his chest. "I'll sleep on the plane."
"Aye, I have no doubt. But for now, come back to bed and keep me company." He gently led her back to their bed. She discarded her robe and crawled back under the covers as he settled in next to her once again. Carolyn tucked her head under his chin and murmured her appreciation as she felt his hand lightly stroking her back, soothing her with his rhythmic touch. Daniel smiled to himself when he realized she had drifted to sleep a few minutes later. He closed his eyes as sleep overtook him as well as he dreamed of his beloved Emerald Isle.
At noon the following day Schooner Bay's lone taxi cab driver Ben Lawton pulled up to Gull Cottage in his eight-passenger van ready to transport the Gregg-Muir Family and luggage to the commuter airport in Skeldale. Carolyn hesitated one last time before climbing into the van, checking her purse for passports, flight itineraries, wallet and house keys. Daniel finished loading the bags and then gave a lending hand to Martha as she settled in the front passenger seat. "Steady as she goes?" he inquired of his wife.
Carolyn gave him a confident smile and a thumbs up. Then changed course abruptly. "Hold it, Ben!" She twisted in her seat to look at Candy and Jonathan in the rear seat. "Are you two, good? Last chance for the bathroom until we get to the airport, you know."
"I'm good, Mom." Candy reported.
"I went five minutes ago," Jonathan assured her.
"Okay then, Captain Gregg," Carolyn turned back to Daniel, "Let's go to Ireland."
"Aye love, let's get underway." Daniel stepped inside the van and slid the door shut firmly. Their day long adventure had begun at last.
The first leg of their journey by plane was the short hour-long flight from Skeldale to Portland. They had a comfortably modest layover before their 5:30 p.m. flight to Newark International located across the river from New York City in New Jersey. They got into Newark at 7 p.m. and had time for a leisurely, albeit late dinner before their 10 p.m. scheduled departure for Dublin. As expected, the kids and Martha were beginning to droop and nod off as they waited for their Aer Lingus flight number to be called. It wasn't long before each child had settled their heads in the lap of a parent and dozed peacefully. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg sat side by side content to people watch as their fellow travelers passed them by to destinations unknown. Carolyn leaned against Daniel's shoulder. "I think the kids had the right idea," she lightly stroked her daughter's golden hair as she slept.
"Aye, remarkable really." He looked over towards Martha sitting opposite with her carry-on bag on her lap. Her head was nodding forward causing her chin to rest on top of her satchel. Daniel kept his voice low and tilted his head to speak in Carolyn's ear. "Once we get airborne this flight across the Atlantic will take a mere six hours. My fastest crossing in my sailing days was 20 days, Liverpool to Boston harbor. We were fortunate to cover 100 miles of ocean in a day. Our plane will travel the same distance in less than a day. Extraordinary!" His expression showed his delighted amazement.
"Modern times do have its benefits," Carolyn whispered back.
Daniel smiled and wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, "They do at that, my darlin'" He planted a kiss on her forehead.
Two hours later they were over the coast of Greenland on their way and headed over the North Atlantic. There had been some minor discussion about the seating arrangements as both children called dibs on a window seat. However, once it was pointed out to them it was now night with only darkness below, both siblings ceased the debate. Jonathan was now slumped against the plane's side beside his mother who gallantly took the middle seat. Daniel sat next to her and stretched his long legs into the aisle whenever he could. Candy and Martha sat opposite them across the way, Candy's head pillowed now on Martha's ample bosom and they were both fast asleep. The pilot had dimmed the cabin lights as most passengers tried to catch 40 winks on the overnight transatlantic flight. Carolyn lowered the arm rest between them, snaked her arm behind the small of Daniel's back and rested against him. The humming drone of the jet engines lulled them both to sleep. Sometime later, Daniel gradually drifted to drowsy wakefulness. He opened his eyes, blinking against the overhead reading lamp Carolyn had switched on over her seat. She was apparently awake and reading a magazine article. He took a deep breath and shifted slightly in his seat, folding his arms across his chest. He grimaced at the tightness in his cramped legs. Carolyn had insisted they not fly First Class, despite being able to afford to do so. She had no intention of raising "spoiled" children, she had informed him. Candy and Jonathan already had been treated to an unplanned trip to New York City in January and now this sojourn to Daniel's ancestral homeland. A thought briefly wafted through his mind to get up and walk down the plane's aisle. This thought slipped away as he noticed what reading material his wife was completely absorbed in. He couldn't read the details but saw several photos of mothers holding newborn infants and a toddler taking his first wobbly steps. Daniel's eyebrow reflectively arched. She's reading about babies? He didn't know quite what to make of her magazine choice. As newlyweds of six months they really hadn't had a serious talk on that subject. He made the immediate decision that now on a plane in the middle of the night over the Atlantic surrounded by strangers was not the time to have that particular discussion. He unfastened his seat belt and unwound his tall frame. "I'm due for a stroll," he told her. Carolyn looked up from her magazine briefly, nodded and smiled, then went back to her reading. Daniel looked across her to Jonathan's form. The boy had shifted and curled in his sleep and was leaning comfortably against his mother's left side. Across the way, Candy had lowered her tray table and was using it as a headrest, her arms pillowing her blonde head. Martha had her head back and soft silent snores were escaping her lips. Daniel tugged at his ear as a wave of affection once again reminded him how lucky he was to have this family and a renewed chance at happiness in living a full life as a living, breathing man.
Captain Gregg made the circuit of the plane's passenger cabin length twice walking the narrow aisle as he tried to restore circulation to his legs. He returned to his seat to find Carolyn stuffing the magazine she had been reading into the seat pocket in front of her. "Interesting reading?" he ventured in a non-committal tone of voice.
"Hm, yes you could say that. Something to think about."
Daniel waited for her to say more on the subject but she asked instead, "You know, dear, you really haven't told me a lot of details about our trip. Care to share?"
His smile was broad. "If our plane is on schedule, we should be landing about nine o'clock in the morning—GMT in Dublin. Our travel agent in Skeldale has arranged tour guides for us, a brother and sister team to drive us about and assist us in keeping our crew entertained for the duration of our stay."
"Should be interesting. Hopefully they have experience with young kids."
"Oh, I shouldn't think we'll have any problems. You have raised well-mannered, pleasant, obedient children and as you know—we Irish are exceptional friendly souls," he clasped her hand from her side and raised it to his lips for a kiss.
She stroked his bearded face tenderly in response. "Well, I only really know two Irishman. I can hardly base my opinion of an entire nation of people by two charmers."
Daniel frowned, "Two Irishmen?"
"Hm, mm. You and Sean Callahan. He was most charming. Very handsome, too," she added just to tease him.
Daniel glowered at her but refrained from rising to her bait. "Be that as it may, I have no doubt the children will have a grand time—kissing the Blarney stone, hunting for four-leaf Shamrocks—"
"—on the lookout for leprechauns," she added laughing a little. She looked up at him and couldn't quite read his expression in the dim light. "Daniel?"
He hesitated before speaking but when she prodded him with her elbow he replied. "Well, let's hope we don't run across any—we don't require their pot of gold." His tone was serious.
"What?"
"I said I hope the kids don't find—"
"I heard what you said, I just don't know if you are kidding." She looked at him with questioning eyes. "You are joking, aren't you? I mean…leprechauns are just a myth—a story."
His expression remained solemn. He looked once again at Jonathan's sleeping form and across the aisle at Martha and Candy before he leaned close to his wife. "They are not the jolly green fellows a cereal company would have you believe."
Carolyn looked incredulous. "Oh, come on, Captain Gregg. You're pulling my leg."
"Am I?" His eyebrow arched in emphasis.
"Well, aren't you? Stop teasing." She was beginning to wonder, though.
"My dear, some people don't believe in ghosts. Do you?" His blue eyes showed no mirth.
It took a moment but then his response registered in her brain. Her green eyes grew wide in amazement. "You mean to tell me leprechauns are real?
He nodded, took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Aye, my love, as are Ireland's fairies, changelings, pookas and the worst of all—screaming hags called banshees."
Before their conversation could continue the cabin lights switched on and the pilot came over the intercom from the cockpit. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, we will begin our final descent into Dublin in a few minutes. The stewardesses will be coming through the cabin shortly as we prepare for landing, please make sure your seat backs are in the upright position, your tray tables have been raised and any personal items you may have gotten out during our flight have been stowed away in the overhead bins or placed under the seat in front of you. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. The time is approximately 8:45 a.m. in Ireland this fine morning. Weather looks exceptional with sunshine and a temperature of 22◦ Celsius, which is about 72◦ on the Fahrenheit scale. We hope you have enjoyed your flight and will join us again on another Aer Lingus flight in the future. Stewardesses, prepare the cabin for landing."
A short time later the Gregg-Muir Family had deplaned and had their passports inspected and stamped. They then entered the main terminal to scan the waiting crowd for signs of their tour guides. Carolyn had Jonathan by the hand while Daniel kept ahold of Candy. He quickly spotted a young man and woman holding a sign aloft reading "Daniel Gregg Family" also emblazoned with "Kiely Gaelic Tours" in bright green lettering with the outline of the map of Ireland as their logo. Daniel gathered his crew about him and charted a course across the busy arrival area to Cara and Aiden Kiely. The young 20-somethings greeted the women and children with playful shamrock necklaces but wisely settled upon a more dignified handshake reception for Captain Gregg. "Welcome to Ireland!" the Kiely's chorused together. Introductions were made all around with Candy falling instantly in love with Aiden Kiely. He was about as tall as her stepdad, with a shock of light brown hair, chiseled chin and hazel eyes-movie-star handsome in her mind. His sister Cara took the lead. She was a lovely young woman with the same wheat-colored hair as her brother. It was shoulder length and tied back into a playful ponytail by an emerald green hair tie. "We'll pop down to retrieve your bags whilst Aiden fetches our transport. We'll meet him out front and we'll begin your adventure. Did you have a good flight?"
"It was fine, thank you. Long, but fine. The kids slept most of the way," she rested her hand on Jonathan's head and tousled his hair before smoothing it back affectionately.
Miss Kiely gave Mrs. Gregg a warm smile. "Most of our American clients adjusted quite well to the different time zone. My advice would be stay up and keep moving this first day, you'll sleep fine tonight and then by tomorrow morning you'll be right as rain," she bent down to Jonathan's eye-level. "You look wide awake and ready to have a bit of fun—or craic—as we Irish call it. What say, Jonathan?"
He shook his head in agreement. "Are you going to take us where the leprechauns live?" Carolyn exchanged a quick look at Daniel standing by her side, he gave her a little smile but made no comment.
"Now boyo, you're going to see lots of new things on your trip." Aiden Kiely bent at his waist to speak directly to the youngster. "But we can't guarantee the leprechauns will cooperate and stand by the side of the road," Aiden told him. "But you'll for sure see fairy forts and the tombs of Celtic chieftains and we'll take you to haunted places like Malahide Castle. Best always keep your eyes open, Ireland is full of ancient things wild and wonderful. I'll go to the carpark now and bring our tour van around." He left as Cara led the family towards the luggage pick up area.
Martha requested a restroom stop before leaving the airport. "I don't like those dinky bathrooms on planes, makes me feel like a bluefin tuna squeezing into a lobster pot."
Carolyn gave her a dismissive little laugh, "I think we could all use a moment to freshen up." Daniel accompanied Jonathan into the men's room and then waited patiently for their women folk just outside the public restroom doors. Jonathan was fascinated by the vending machine inside the lavatory selling gum, mints, cigarettes as well as small kits of toothpaste and toothbrushes, hair combs and some other item in a small package which he didn't recognize. He had pointed and asked Daniel about it, but the Captain had merely put his hand on Jonathan's shoulder and ushered him out of the restroom. "I'll tell you what that item is for when you are a bit older—much older." He hustled the boy out the door before he could ask another question about the mystery item in the dispenser.
Soon the family, tour guides and gear were loaded into Kiely Gaelic Tour's motor coach with over-sized viewing windows and headed into Dublin's downtown district. Their hotel base for the next few days was the historic Hamilton House located on the banks of the River Liffey which flowed through the heart of the city. After checking into their rooms, they headed into the dining room where breakfast was still being served to guests. Daniel ordered for the family. "Now, my dearies, you are in for a treat. You are about to be served a traditional Irish breakfast," Daniel declared.
"I want scrambled eggs and bacon," Candy declared as she took her napkin and spread it over her lap.
Daniel shook his head. "Fried eggs, dear girl and rashers." Candy made a face of reluctant acceptance and shrugged her shoulders in resignation.
"No Captain Crunch?" Jonathan asked forlornly.
"I'm the only Captain on this trip, Skipper," Daniel informed him.
"Honey, I want you two to be brave and try some new foods while we're here. Experience everything Ireland has to offer," Carolyn encouraged. Daniel nodded his approval.
Cara sympathized with her young client. "Fear not, Jonathan, you'll still have plenty of American foods on our menus—all the hamburgers and hotdogs and pizza you can eat. I'm not sure about your Captain Crunch, but there will be corn flakes, oatmeal and rice crispers for breakfast choices."
Jonathan brightened. "Rice Krispies? I like those."
Two smiling waiters brought over huge trays containing what looked to be Canadian bacon slices, toast, sausages, fried eggs, bowls of baked beans, sliced tomatoes, hash brown potatoes and something looking like slices a black coal. Martha Grant looked over the offerings with a pleased expression until her eyes rested on the black briquets. "Care to explain, Captain?" She pointed a curious finger.
"Black pudding—otherwise known as blood sausage. An acquired taste for some," he explained. "Taste it, judge for yourself."
Martha took her fork and stabbed a small piece. "In the mouth and past the gums—look out stomach—here it comes!" she quipped. She bravely popped it into her mouth and then chewed thoughtfully. "Well…it is different. I'll give it that. Pass the bacon, please." as she reached for her glass of orange juice.