They were about to begin with the proceedings a few minutes later. The Captain had excused himself momentarily to retrieve something from the Wheelhouse, and returned just as quickly as he disappeared.
"Ahh, here we are." Said the Captain as he walked to the opposite side of the room, setting the curious looking object atop the bedside table.
"What is that?" Asked Carolyn, glancing over the strange little thing from where she sat. Thinking rather hard, she recognized it, "Captain, why do we need a metronome?"
"You'll see in a moment, m'dear." Replied the Captain.
She watched with hidden delight as the Captain arranged the pillows on the bed.
"Captain, don't you think its a little too early for bed?" She teased.
He shot her a half-smile and lightly scolded her with his eyes.
Mrs. Muir watched for a few more minutes as he deliberately piled the pillows vertically; making her mind wander into certain areas of thought that caused the blood to rush to her cheeks and in turn made her avert her eyes from him for a long moment.
The Captain pretended not to have noticed.
Carolyn was pulled out of her silent meditation a minute later when the Captain called out to her.
"Yes, Captain Gregg?"
He motioned her to him.
"I'll need you to sit here," He said, pointing to the left side of the well arranged bed.
Carolyn bit her bottom lip to keep her composure steady. Had this been any other situation, she would have found the Captain's instructions of sitting on the bed most sensual. But since this was an entirely different matter, she will have to try and not dwell too much on the cause her thoughts were being stirred to.
But blast it all, she wasn't going to make the peculiar impact he had on her obvious. She'd have to be impaled on a marlinspike first.
So very deftly, she did as she was told, and reclined quite comfortably on the softness of the pillows.
Carolyn looked at him, waiting for further instruction, when he raised a hand,
"Just one more moment, m'dear."
She kept her eyes on him as he left her side, and strode with that familiar gait of his, one that bespoke of authority and control. She wondered idly why he was heading to the door, when she heard a singular click. Indicating that he had locked it. She felt surreptitiously pleased at that gesture. The exact reason why, was unknown to her.
She licked her lips, feeling then the familiar sensation of anxiety go through her body, her excitement faltering as she remembered what they were about to do.
"Why did you lock the door?"
"I do not wish for us to be disturbed." Answered the Captain, walking back towards her.
"But the children won't be home until the afternoon, and Martha has gone into town. Do you think that's necessary?"
"Of course. Even when my vessel is vacant of my other shipmates, it does not mean that we are entirely alone. An infringing interloper could come scuttling about at precisely the wrong moment, and I have no intentions of having the privacy of our time together here to be disturbed. Especially today. " Stated the Captain firmly, seating himself at her bedside once more.
Carolyn felt the weight of the bed shift mildly, not quite as profoundly as she expected, barely noticeable in fact, but there definitely was a shift. She studied him for a moment, then said, "So what you're saying is, if someone happens to drop by unexpectedly, you don't want them to barge in on us."
"Precisely. How very astute you are m'dear."
"Thank you, Captain." She replied with a knowing smile.
"So, shall we begin?"
"Yes."
"Very well." Replied the Captain as he clasped his hands together. "The first thing I'd like you to do is to lean back completely, Madame." Said the Captain, starting the metronome with only but one wave of his hand.
"Alright." Said Carolyn as she sunk further into the pillows, the pulsating sound of the metronome ticking away beside her.
"Very good, now-"
"Captain?" She said, feeling a cringe of panic go through her.
"Yes?" The Captain asked, concern showing in his eyes.
Carolyn closed her eyes briefly, then said, "Captain...I don't want you to think I'm a coward...but..I'm afraid. What if something goes wrong? What if...what if it isn't going to work? Will you be disappointed with me?"
The Captain's countenance shifted to a more softer, more tender emotion. He smiled at her gently his eyes shimmering like the ocean when the sun's rays touches the surface, "You could never disappoint me, Madame. And only trust me, it will work."
He watched her nod. "Good. Now, close your eyes. Listen to the sound of the metronome..."
"You are in a safe place...No harm can come to you there..."
"Breathe deeply...All is calm and quiet..."
Carolyn Muir clung to the sound of his voice as it coaxed her into a deeper state of unconsciousness; the velvet entwined zephyr of his timbre carrying her across the darkened shores of slumber.
A few minutes of their exercise into the first stage of meditation went by quite successfully.
However, there was one cloud in their horizon. Just as Mrs. Muir found herself feeling as though she were being elevated into a higher level into their experiment; she realized, with much disappointment, that she was awakening from the zen-like state she had been earlier in. Still, she could not help but feel as though she were extremely relaxed. Quite a strange sensation for someone who was just about to wake up.
She could also hear some strange chanting in the distance to which she could not decipher as to what the words were, only that they were repeated in deep tones, and in a never ending loop.
As she felt herself begin to be pushed further into consciousness, she mumbled briefly under her breath with a heavy sigh of defeat, "Captain, its useless, its not going to work."
Carolyn opened her eyes, and abruptly sat up, removing herself from the bed as she rubbed the nape of her neck. "Its no use..." She said, shaking her head. "I guess I'm not cut out for this..."
Carolyn paced for a few moments, now noticing that her surroundings were unusually silent.
There was no stirring of winds, not even the ocean could be heard, and as her senses were returning; she felt a lightness in gravity that she could not describe, yet it was incredibly palpable in the atmosphere around her.
She looked around the Master Cabin and realized everything was the same as it should be, and yet she could not shake the feeling that all was not as it seemed. What made matters worse, the Captain was no where in sight.
She was utterly alone.
Did it work?
Did it actually work!?
Carolyn asked herself. Her mind began picking up speed as she tried to take in what was happening, or what she thought was happening. The most frightening part of the whole matter was, she no longer could discern whether she was dreaming or whether she was awake.
She passed her vanity mirror, and could see that she was still dressed in the delicate pink sweater and beige capri pants she had been wearing this morning.
So the question still remained, was it a dream or not?
Could you see your reflection in a dream?
She had no answer.
Carolyn could feel her mind slowly spin, causing her to feel suddenly dizzy.
She could also feel herself grow disoriented and confused, so many previous thoughts of every single scenario of what could go wrong, was now reiterating itself one by one into her mind.
Would he be able to find her if she got lost? Surely he would...wouldn't he?
She tried to keep whatever was left of her sanity in check.
Swallowing hard, she opened her mouth and called out, her voice sounding taut, even to her ears.
"Captain Gregg?"
Silence.
"Captain?"
Not even an echo.
Blast.
Whatever happened during their little experimentation must have sent her to the wrong place, or wrong dimension, wherever she may be. That was the only plausible explanation.
Carolyn wrapped her arms around herself, feeling very small and vulnerable.
What was she to do? Could she possibly go back? But how?
She tried to think of a way to go back, but she found herself stumped.
Just when she thought her walls of sanity were beginning to crack and collapse, a familiar baritone voice filled her ears from behind.
Carolyn turned around quickly.
"Madame, I believe my congratulations are in order-" The Captain's handsome face beamed at her as he spoke, but before he could continue his sentence, he felt the full weight and impact of Carolyn Muir's embrace as she lunged into his arms with relief.
"Oh, Captain. I'm so glad its you! I thought something had gone terribly wrong, I thought I was sent to the wrong place and I didn't..." She paused, her eyes widening at the realization of whose arms were now holding her protectively. "...Didn't know how to reach you..." Carolyn managed to finish the remainder of her sentence, but something else was now taking hold of her attention.
It worked! It actually worked! Said a loud voice in her mind.
She lowered her eyes slightly, a little embarrassed at her actions. The Captain, however kept his gaze steady at her. There was a trace of amusement in his eyes, yet between the glistening play of light that reflected in those sapphire depths; contained yet another emotion that for the moment - remained hidden.
"Oh..." She muttered softly. Stepping back rather awkwardly from the embrace, her cheeks flushed and pink, "Well, you were right, we certainly...can touch." She gulped, trying to regain her composure. She closed her eyes for a brief second, the sensation of his arms around her still leaving traces against her skin.
The Captain smiled, "I do wish to extend my most sincere apologies for not being here to greet you when you arrived." He said as he tugged at his earlobe briefly.
"You see, when the time came for the third and fourth stage of the meditation process, you were traveling far more quickly than I had first anticipated. So quickly in fact, that I almost did not notice your presence once it arrived here. I must commend and applaud you m'dear for you are the most skilled astral traveler I have ever had the pleasure of encountering in my afterlife."
"Thank you, Captain." Carolyn smiled, "Now," She said looking around, "Where exactly is - here?"
At this, the Captain's lips turned upwards into a dazzling grin and said,
"Welcome to the Astral Plane Mrs. Muir."
Carolyn blinked, "The Astral plane?" But Captain, this just looks exactly like Gull Cottage, how exactly can this be-"
"Belay that Madame..." Merely said the Captain, halting her questions as he stepped towards her and said quietly, "Close your eyes."
"But-"
"Ah-" He said, raising a scolding finger at her, till she did as she was told.
Then gently he covered her eyes with his hand.
For about a minute Carolyn stood there, feeling a noticeable shift in the entire atmosphere; followed by the sensation of the Captain removing his hand from her eyes.
She could feel his breath tickle her ear as he spoke once more, "Now, open them."
And eagerly she did so. The moment she did, she realized that they were most certainly not in Schooner Bay any longer.
"You were saying?" Teased the Captain, immensely pleased at her reaction.
"I...but..." She was trying to coherently find words, but the view was so overwhelming, Carolyn felt as though she were going to dissolve from where she stood.
They were atop a great mountain, surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers that seemed to bend with the direction of the wind. They were up so high that she could see the crude and rocky edges of a cliff that lay just beyond. Carolyn felt herself shiver, the vastness of her surroundings seeping into her bones.
The entire view of the ocean could be seen far below them like a blue cloud as it melted together with the sky in the great distance. There was not a tree sight, only the endless wide and open plains, and the infinite sky above them.
It was truly a breathtaking sight. For the sun hung suspended in some far corner of the sky, creating the illusion of both dusk and dawn; the colors of autumn and midnight painting the firmament its very own shade of twilight.
"This...this is definitely not Gull Cottage...not anymore at least..." Said Mrs. Muir in a bewildered tone.
Carolyn then turned to the Captain her eyes filled with confused wonderment, "How is this possible? How is it that you can show me all this?"
"We are now both in the same plane, Mrs. Muir. What I can see, here, you can too, and vice versa. Here, the separation of dimensions no longer exist."
"I can certainly see that, Captain Gregg." Remarked Carolyn, giving him a long stare. "But what I mean is, why did you bring me here specifically today?"
"In a moment you shall know. Shall we?" Said the Captain as he offered her his arm.
She sighed as she accepted it, she didn't know how much surprises she could take in just one day. But as she saw the gleam of excitement and happiness in his eyes, she realized that whatever course he was steering them to, she might as well enjoy it.
They began a short walk a few minutes later through the windy plains, the tall grass languidly grazing around their knees as they passed them. Though the entire scenery seemed as though it were all some sort of mirage; some distant dream, to her it was all very real, and as she felt the Captain's strong arm beneath her grasp she knew then that it was, truly, irreversibly - real.
Carolyn Muir was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she did not even notice the fact that they had already arrived at their destination. It was only when the sensation that came after one has stopped movement, did she realize that they had already come to a full stop.
She blinked her eyes and saw before her a majestic old willow tree. It was situated precisely at the center of the clearing, a grand sight of nature, with its long leaves blowing in the wind.
From where she was, Carolyn could also immediately see a picnic cloth delicately spread out, with a basket filled with a variety of fruit and cheeses, and the Captain's Madeira accompanied by two sparkling glasses.
She turned to him with a smile, "A picnic?"
"Indeed."
"Oh, Captain. You really are sweet." Teased Carolyn as she walked over to the lovely spread.
"For the hundredth time, Madame. I am not sweet!" Said the Captain with a huff, following behind her.
"We shall agree to disagree then." Said Carolyn happily as she sat down on the soft cloth, pouring them both a glass of Madeira.
The Captain took his seat beside her as she offered him his glass. He observed her closely as she did so, noting the the way the wind was mussing her hair.
"You really were right," Spoke Carolyn once more, as she held her drink in her hand. " I didn't think all of this could be possible...but you were right..."
The Captain smiled at her, "Well you didn't believe in ghosts before you met me."
"No. I didn't." She returned his smile, "But here I am."
The Captain clinked his glass against hers and said, "Here's to believing in the impossible."
"I'd drink to that any day." Responded Carolyn as she took her first sip of wine.
"There's still one thing that puzzles me, Captain."
"Oh? And What is it m'dear?" Queried Captain Gregg as he set his glass down.
Carolyn looked at him, and for the first time she allowed her eyes to settle on his handsome face, tracing the invisible lines on his lips, nose, and eyes.
She snapped herself out of it.
"Well...you were so adamant, tenacious, no. Dare I say it, impatient, with the request of bringing me here. What is it that's so important about this day in particular that you had to bring me here today?"
"Don't you remember what today is?"
"September 21st. Why?"
"Today is the anniversary of your arrival at Gull Cottage."
There was a brief moment of silence.
"Oh...I didn't even remember..." Said Carolyn, allowing the memories of their first two years to sink into her mind, she then gave a soft chortle. "Captain, I didn't know you were sentimental."
He looked at her, feigning an indignant glare. Carolyn could not help but laugh even louder.
"Jezebel!" Growled the Captain at her mirth.
"I'm sorry." Carolyn said as she calmed down, taking another sip of her Madeira.
"I am not, nor have I ever been sentimental." Said Captain defensively. "But however, today is a special occasion, and so we must celebrate."
"Either way Captain, I thank you deeply. This..." Said Carolyn, indicating at their beautiful surroundings, "This is all so lovely..."
"You are most welcome, Madame. But that's only half the surprise."
"Oh?"
"There is another surprise I should like to give to you."
Carolyn watched as the Captain suddenly came close to her, his presence invading the remaining spaces between them. Before she could comprehend what was about to happen, she saw him reach for what seemed to be a piece of parchment that was laid beside her.
"This was something I had written a long time ago. And since I know you rather like poetry and prose, I am giving this to you as a gift and keepsake. Because I know only you can truly appreciate its value and meaning." He said softly as he unfolded the paper.
"Thank you, Captain...I...I wish I had prepared something to give to you as well." Said Carolyn feeling rather sheepish.
"That isn't necessary Madame, your presence here with me today is all the gift I could ever hope and ask for." Said Captain Gregg softly, "Would you like me to read it to you?"
"Alright," She replied with a smile, "I'd love to hear it."
Curiously she studied the vintage-looking scroll in his hand, wondering in the hidden confines of her mind what the contents were.
An answer would soon follow.
A moment later, the Captain cleared his throat and began to read aloud. His inescapable voice gliding together with the wind.
"The sleepless desire that awakens my morn. The aching hunger in the absence. The fragrance of a garden that of which I long to be lost in; entangle me in your vines of luscious blooms and hidden flowers.
Only let it be your limbs that ensconce me when you embrace me; be as nubile as the wind and as soft as the changing clouds; but let your lips be my only source of warmth.
Let all your kisses be mine, let no object bear the memory of your caresses save only for me; let no cup know the exquisite softness that comes with the touch of your mouth; nor ever let the secrets of your hidden valleys be exposed nor be held by lifeless sheets, save only for my hands. These hands that tremble with longing only for the touch of your skin.
Let not the image of your beauty linger within the confines of a mirror's reflection, for my eyes see clearly than that of which is made of glass..."
The Captain did not realize that he had already lowered the parchment and was now reciting from memory. His gaze then found hers and stayed there, fixated as though he were in a trance as he uttered the remaining words,
"And to kiss you with but only one kiss. A kiss to shame all other kisses that ever existed before, for never having been ours first."
A/N: Hey guys! I am so glad that you are all enjoying this story so far. I'm so thankful to every single one of you who left a review. And my sincere apologies for being late in this update. My schedule has kinda' been hectic lately but here I am! And hope you enjoy reading Chapter four. Stay tuned my loves! God bless! And any typos will be corrected. Happy reading!