When he thought about it later, he knew the idea had begun as they stood shoulder to shoulder that day leaning against the kitchen sink. Laughing, resting again against one another as Claymore finally agreed, "All right you'll have your double socket in the morning." It was then he finally, completely understood they were one. A family in fact, if not in actual formal, official structure.
The reality filtered through his mind and thoughts as fall became winter. The snow began to fall and Christmas began to approach. And as the season progressed, Captain Daniel Gregg began to muse about Christmastime and the unlived life he wished for with Carolyn Muir and the rest of the family.
Snow was just starting to fall late that morning as Carolyn Muir was rummaging around in her closet. Hearing her bumping about the Captain appeared there in the Master Cabin. "Madam, may I be of assistance?" he called. Without a word, disheveled, she emerged with a bulky jacket in hand.
He watched, first wishing he were able to smooth her hair, and the next wishing he didn't have to say the obvious comment about her choice of wardrobe. Eyebrow raised, he stopped and finally blurted, "You're wearing that?" Catching his meaning, Carolyn briefly glanced down and then looked up again with courage. "I know," she said, nodding in agreement, as she slipped on the jacket and spun about. "Not the most fashionable thing I own, but by far the warmest I possess for hunting Christmas trees."
"Indeed," be paused without further comment. "So time for a Christmas tree is it? I recall the day when trees where to be found on the hill behind Gull Cottage. All one required was a hearty constitution and a sharp axe. I gather times have changed?" "Indeed," she smiled in return. "I suspect that the local constable would take umbrage if you walked through the woods with a sharp weapon these days." There was a long second of silence as they stood looking at one another. "I imagine you are correct," the Captain finally offered. "And yet, I would have enjoyed having us bring a tree home together, wouldn't you?"
Sighing loudly, so he understood she shared his dismay, she gave him a soft glance. "Oh there are so many things we would have all enjoyed together." She buttoned up her jacket and looked his way before heading down stairs. "But since our dreams can't come true, I suspect we need to handle things today, as best we can."
As she quietly whisked out the door and down the stairs, he nodded to himself and moved to the window to watch as Jonathan, Candy and even Scruffy all slid happily into the car. With a final glance his way, Carolyn got into the car herself. The sound of a "We Wish You Merry Gentleman" began as they drove away.
He resisted for a moment, before moving to the telescope to watch them drive down the hill. "A dream . . ." he murmured to himself as he watched them disappear out of sight. As they left his view, he moved to sit there at the desk, and began to craft a Christmas gift that might finally allow him to share all that he would wish, would dream for them together, had fate provided a different, better set of circumstances for them all.