She had been surprised how long it took to finish the paperwork for her release from jail. It was mid-afternoon when Constable Peavey dropped her officially off at home. Waving goodbye, she turned, overnight bag in hand and headed up the steps. Surprised at the quiet, she paused, trying to hear where the kids were when the door opened in front of her.
"Welcome home Madam! Martha and the young ones are still in the village, I suspect celebrating the happy results with your many supporters. Allow me. . ." with that he reached out and took the small suitcase from her hand. Smiling warmly at him, she took a slow turn about looking at the various rooms. When she finished and was facing him again, he was intrigued by her tender expression as she let out a long sigh. "Home, home at last!" He looked quizzically at her, "Indeed. You say that as if you are surprised." "I am a bit," she nodded. "Until today I would have said Gull Cottage always felt like home, but it's more now, it's different."
Curious, he followed along side her with her case, as she headed upstairs. She turned to him, with that same dreamy look, "Do you recall the first day we arrived?" "Hard to forget," he grinned, "but just what part of that most special day are you recalling with such fondness?"
She shot him a lopsided grin, "Fondness? It shows does it?" "Out with it Madam," he said with more of a grumble than he intended to express. It was a display of vulnerability, a raw spot in his heart that made him less than amiable to the tease. Daniel Gregg was nothing if not a careful, considered man. Week in week out, month in, month out, he had slowly, consistently worked to show her his heart, despite their very different realities he wanted her to know she was truly all he desired in the world. So it had been difficult when she would not or could not show the same feelings to him. But he had time, lord knows that was the one thing he had in abundance, so closing his eyes a moment, he prepared himself to begin again.
As they entered the Master Cabin, he set her case down by the mirror, and moved to the telescope, working to collect himself as he viewed the horizon. He was surprised to find Carolyn just behind him, leaning against the desk, just watching him with that same tender look in her eyes. "Very well, as you say, I'll 'out with it' Captain Gregg," she offered with a shy smile. "I'm actually glad the children aren't here, it's easier when it's just the two of us to have . . . this kind of conversation."
He stood silently, watching her try to collect the right words, "You realize of course, that if I weren't already deceased," he said leaning closer to her, "that you'd be close to achieving that end right now!" With a beguiling lilt to his voice, he softly whispered, "Please just tell me what are you trying to say, will you?"
To his immense frustration, she stood and took her own peek out the telescope. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I don't mean to tease, but I want to get this right." She turned to face him, and for the hundredth time, cursed the fates that she was denied the ability to do what she really wanted, to fall into his arms, and show, rather than say how she felt. But clearly, words would have to do.
"On that first day, do you recall that evening when we talked in the parlor? I told you that I was certain the house wanted me to save it. In all these months, no matter how gracious or wonderful you have been, or even when you've been less than wonderful. . ." He opened his mouth to protest, but she held up a warning finger, "let me get it all out, please?" He grinned and silently nodded; intrigued to see what she might finally be willing to share.
"Where was I, oh, right, 'less than wonderful' from time to time, I've still never really felt 100% at home. Not until today. Today I finally feel as if I did what I hoped to do, save Gull Cottage – by going to jail, by standing up in court with you, I feel as if the house knows. . . or I suspect, I hope you know that nothing in the world is as important to me as our home."
"You know," he finally offered, when the long silence assured him that she had finished, "it wasn't only the house you saved, you do know that, don't you?" Eyes shining, she forced herself to meet his gaze. "I do. In fact, I've felt for the longest time that we have saved each other. I know we may never find a way to share all we feel with one another, but I wanted you to know, with you, I am absolutely, 100%, in my true home."
Looking down, he raised a ghostly finger, and swept a bit of hair out of her eyes, "quite a lot of words to say, 'I love you,' don't you think?" "I love you," she grinned, "now why didn't I think of that!" "We have time beloved, now that we've found a way to say the words, who knows what else we might uncover?"
Intrigued, she looked up with a raised eyebrow and hopeful expression that faded as she heard their car pull up in front of the cottage with Martha and the kids. "I knew I should have told you sooner," she said with a petulant stamp of her foot. She was surprised by his rolling laughter, "Patience, M'dear. There are things that improve with anticipation, you have my word. Might I convince you to continue this conversation later tonight?"
She barely had a moment to whisper, "I can't wait!" when the door burst open and the children dashed into her arms.