Chapter Thirty-Seven

The Family Gregg

"Yes, yes. We'll be passing your wife onto the care of a gynaecologist…" Ferguson replied, misinterpreting Daniel's terse statement.

He shrugged. "You may have your own choice given you have already had two children. But I do recommend Dr David Morgan over in Bangor. He is an excellent physician with a solid reputation."

"Is that your best option?" Daniel asked abruptly. "Another pill roller? I had thought to employ a good midwife from Schooner Bay and have our baby at home."

"There is that option," Ferguson allowed cautiously, waving a dismissive hand. "But for a woman such as your wife who is not young, a gynaecologist and access to a maternity hospital is the best option in my professional opinion. Better to be safe than sorry."

Carolyn gave Daniel another warning look. "Whatever you feel is best, Doctor. Bangor will suit us just fine."

"I was only asking…" Daniel grumbled. "But I can see the point of it."

"Good, good. Well, now that that's settled," Dr Ferguson said quickly. "Shall we get on with your examination? Would you care to lie down on the bed for me?"

He moved back toward the door. "If I remember rightly, the bathroom is just down the hall? I'll go and wash my hands and be right back." He gave Daniel a cautious smile as he quickly left the room.

Daniel stared after him. "I would not have allowed that peep aboard any of my ships. He still looks wet behind the ears. I would demand to see his licence and any references."

He frowned. "I know we spoke about baby doctors the other night. But I swear the man gets younger every time I see him. What is that bit of fuzz he's trying to cultivate on his upper lip?"

He shook his head as he began to pace the floor with his hands in the small of his back. "I once had a young cabin boy named Malcolm, and I'll swear he had a better chance of growing facial hair than this young whippersnapper."

"Dr Ferguson is just being thorough," Carolyn whispered quickly. "Please remember to be nice to him."

"Very well…" Daniel sighed roughly.

"You must see that you're frightening the poor man with all your bluster," Carolyn told him roundly. "Please stop it. I like him. He's very sweet and he is a good doctor."

"If you like him, my dear…" Daniel sighed roughly. "Then I will do my best to tolerate his care of you."

Carolyn laid a hand on his tense forearm. "I know this is all so very new to you and you have so many questions. But please trust me that everything will be fine. You do not have to stand guard over everything, seeing problems that are simply not there."

"You are my life, how can I not worry?" Daniel replied softly, looking down at her with shadowed eyes. "If anything ever happened to you…" He shook his head slowly.

"Then you must talk to me." Carolyn shook his arm gently. "You once promised me that there would be no more secrets between us. No more half-truths or confusion." She reached up to run a loving forefinger across his parted lips. "Then do not stop now."

"I remember." Daniel nodded. "I gave you my solemn word of honour."

"Then we can do this, together." Carolyn went up onto her toes to kiss him. "It will be all right."

She smiled up into his incredible blue eyes that were frowning at her so solemnly. She kissed him again, cupping his chin in the palm of her hand.

Somehow they would get through the examination to come. She already knew her husband would not be remaining in the room for that. There were some things even a super spirit should not see.

"There we are then," Dr Ferguson said comfortingly as he returned to the bedroom. "Now, let's get on with making you comfortable, Mrs Gregg."

He reached carefully into his open bag and drew out a pair of examination gloves. He snapped one onto each hand.

He hesitated when Daniel didn't make a move to leave the room. "If that's all right with you, Captain? Or are you intending to actually stay in here for this part of my visit?"

"You're the doctor…" Daniel shrugged as he took the broad hint. "But I'll be just outside, listening to your every word."

"I understand…" Ferguson replied quietly. "I would expect nothing less."

"You'll be just fine out there, dear." Carolyn waved Daniel away toward the door as she sat down on the side of the bed and removed her shoes. "I'm sure this won't take too long."

"Very well…" Daniel sighed heavily, watching the doctor prepare for the examination by drawing out and unwrapping some curious-looking pieces of equipment from his bag.

He was sorely tempted to dematerialise to oversee everything. But he knew his presence would not be welcomed and would undoubtedly land him in serious trouble with his wife. And it maybe would be a step too far even for him to watch another man lay intimate hands on his love with instruments that seemed to have been made more for medieval torture than any gynaecological examination.

He sighed heavily as he exited the bedroom, closing the door sharply behind him. It appeared there were some things that even a super spirit was never meant to see, after all.

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Half an hour later, Dr Ferguson opened the bedroom door to find Daniel pacing impatiently back and forth. The doctor frowned, obviously still trying to work out where he'd seen him before.

"You may come in now…" He stood aside, indicating the bedroom.

"Everything's fine." Carolyn was lying on the bed with the patchwork quilt over her lower body. She held out one hand to her husband.

"That's a great relief…" Daniel exhaled deeply as he hurried to grasp her hand.

"Yes," Dr Ferguson agreed, as he began to repack his medical bag. "I must say I have rarely heard such a strong heartbeat in one so young. But I can confirm that the dates you've indicated, Mrs Gregg, are correct."

"See…" Carolyn murmured to a worried-looking Daniel. "I told you there is nothing to worry about."

"There's still plenty to worry about…" Daniel sighed as he tightened his grasp on her hand. "But that is not for now." He leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"Yankee Skipper Clam Chowder!" Dr Ferguson exclaimed suddenly, his face lighting up with gleeful recognition. "I knew I'd seen your face somewhere before, Captain! Dr Feeney left some cans of it in the pantry when he moved his things out of the surgery! They had that old picture of a sea captain on the label."

"That wasn't me," Daniel denied brusquely. "It was my ancestor, the original Captain Gregg. They used his photographic image without family permission. It was not a good likeness."

"Oh, I don't know…" Dr Ferguson smiled. "You have the same frown and firm mouth. But I do know it was mighty fine chowder. I heard they'd changed the label because no one liked looking at that stern face on the front of the can. Put that sea cap on your head and you could be him."

His smile widened, as he seemed to think he'd finally won a round with his patient's irascible husband. Daniel frowned at him.

"Thank you, Dr Ferguson…" Carolyn intervened. She let go of her husband's hand as she got off the bed, pushing her feet back into her shoes before standing to rearrange her dress. "I'll come down and see you out."

"I will see the doctor out," Daniel asserted, moving to block her path. "You need to stay here and rest."

"I'm not an invalid. I'm more than capable." Carolyn shook her head at him. "You can stay up here and work on our notes." She raised her brows, daring him to disagree.

"Very well…" Daniel subsided with ill grace as he moved aside.

"A bit irascible, isn't he?" Ferguson commented in an undertone, following Carolyn out of the room toward the staircase. "If I didn't know better, I would swear he's almost straight out of the nineteenth century."

"He's just used to being in command, that's all," Carolyn replied quickly, walking down the stairs to the front door. "He's also very nervous. He hasn't been a father before and he's not at all sure of what to expect."

"Ah, I see. Fair enough, I suppose." Ferguson glanced into the living room again as he passed the doors. As before the painting appeared to be glaring at him disapprovingly.

He shook his head as he adjusted the set of his necktie. "I'll write out your referral for Dr Morgan as soon as I get back to the surgery. But do call me if you feel there's anything that comes up that you need to talk about."

"I will do that, Doctor. Thank you."

Ferguson held out his hand to shake hers. "I do hope all goes well for you…" He lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "And your captain."

"Thank you, Doctor…" Carolyn opened the front door. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Daniel is coming to terms with it all. It will take some time. He never expected to become a father, you see. Goodbye, Doctor. Thank you for coming."

"Yes, I see. Well, you're a strong woman and the baby seems to be in excellent health. I'm sure everything will be fine. Goodbye." Ferguson nodded as he left the house.

"Yankee Clipper Clam Chowder…" He shook his head as the front door closed behind him on the very strange encounter. "If I didn't know better I could almost swear they were the same man. I know, impossible, of course…"

He sighed. "Now he's got me talking to myself! I'm never going to look at another can of that stuff in the same way ever again."

Martha appeared from the kitchen as Carolyn turned away from closing the front door. "How'd it all go?" she asked anxiously. "Good, I hope."

Carolyn walked forward to hug her closely, kissing her cheek. "Everything's fine. More than fine, it seems. Dr Ferguson said he's rarely heard such a strong heartbeat in one so young. That certainly eased Daniel's mind."

"I'm so glad…" Martha returned her hug. "After all that you've both been through. I wonder if something of what the Captain once was has been passed to your baby."

Carolyn smiled. "Perhaps his stubborn nature? We shall have to wait to find out," she replied. "But I hope so."

"And your parents?" Martha asked quietly, watching her friend closely. "Now that you know all is well…"

"Yes, my parents…" Carolyn sighed roughly. "They will need to be told the wonderful news. I'll phone them tomorrow. I can't put it off any longer. But I dread the idea of them letting our secret slip to either Harriet or Hazel. That will be all the excuse they need to return to the house."

"Emily and Brad will most certainly arrive as soon as they know." Marth nodded. "I'll prepare the guest room just in case. But as for Hazel or Harriet…" She shook her head with a frown.

"My thoughts exactly," Carolyn replied. "But there will be no escaping them once they know."

"Well, this time you have the Captain to look after you. I would like to see Harriet try to wheedle her way around him. He's not so easily fooled."

"No, he isn't…" Carolyn took comfort from the statement.

But the idea of a return visit from either of her well-meaning but misguided cousins made her frown. As soon as they heard the glad news, they would feel they have the right to intrude once more and how could she refuse?

※※※※※

That evening, the sun set behind a blessedly peaceful Gull Cottage. Everyone was happy with the outcome of Dr Ferguson's visit.

His positive report on the state of Carolyn's health had gone a long way to settling Daniel's worries and concerns for her welfare and that of their child. They spent a convivial evening in front of the living room fire working on their manuscript notes as the children played games and chatted to them about their day.

Martha supplied them all with big mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of freshly baked scones with jam and cream. Finally, it seemed they could now relax and enjoy a few days of welcome peace. Everything seemed very right with their small, happy world as the hours ticked slowly by.

Just before nine o'clock, Carolyn stood to follow her tired children up to bed, tucking them in and kissing each good night in turn. Martha tidied up their mugs and after saying goodnight, she also retired to her room, keen to read the latest pages of 'Annabelle Grant's' new manuscript.

Finally, Carolyn and Daniel were alone in the living room, sitting close together, enjoying watching the dancing flames and saying very little. Their work had been put aside for the conviviality and intimacy of the moment.

"I love you so very much…" Carolyn whispered. "It has been a truly lovely evening. Maybe the world has finally learned to leave us alone."

Daniel shook his head slowly. "Somehow I doubt that," he whispered, opening and spreading his hand wide on her abdomen. "Once you tell your parents the glad news tomorrow, we must prepare to be boarded. We need to take such moments as these and be thankful for all we have. I will love you forever…"

He bent his head to kiss her slowly. "You truly are my everything."

"As you are mine, always…" Carolyn sighed, covering his hand with her own.

Silence settled again. The clock ticked the minutes by and it was an hour later when Carolyn finally stirred, reluctant to leave but knowing she needed to go to bed before she fell asleep where she sat.

"I think I'll go on up," she murmured, stretching as she stifled a yawn behind her hand. "I can barely keep my eyes open any longer." She drew slowly away from her husband's embrace and got to her feet. "Don't be long."

"You do look weary, my love. I will gather up our notes and follow you as soon as I have locked up." Daniel stood up with her, kissing her before turning her toward the living room door and giving her a gentle push to send her on her way.

He took his time performing his nightly ritual of banking the fire in the living room before making sure the house was closed up and secure before he too went upstairs. He was about to turn the key in the lock of the front door when the bell rang.

"Who the devil?" he questioned in annoyance, as he flipped the switch for the outside lights before opening the door.

A woman was standing on the porch, brushing a light dusting of snow from the shoulders of her thick travelling coat. She looked somewhat unsure of her welcome but also seemingly confident she would not be turned away.

"Ah, good evening," she said brightly. "I was so pleased to see the lights were still on. I had a little car trouble on the way or I would have been here much earlier. It's a rather cold night." She blew on her gloved hands.

She studied Daniel closely. "I have to assume that you're Carolyn's new husband, Captain Gregg. The real Captain Gregg. I'm very pleased to finally meet you. Oh, my, you really do look rather like the man in that painting of Carolyn's over the fireplace in the living room. Emily told me you would. I didn't believe her, but now I do."

She fanned a hand in front of her face as she tittered beneath his steady glare. "But she didn't say how much you look like him. It's so uncanny. It's almost as if that painting has come to life. Which, of course, we all know it couldn't have because such a thing isn't at all possible. But still, there is an amazing likeness…"

"That's just a painting of my ancestor the original Daniel Gregg," Daniel replied repressively. "I'll admit there is a strong familial likeness. That's all."

Even though he was allowing the cold night air inside the warm house, he held fast to the door barring her entry even though the woman tried to look beyond him, seeming to seek back-up to her wish to invade their privacy. Daniel bristled with disdain which their uninvited visitor seemed blithely unaware of as she prattled brightly.

"Oh, yes, yes there most certainly is. But, where are my manners…" The woman smiled as she held out her hand. "I know we haven't met before, but I'm—"

"My wife's cousin, Harriet," Daniel interrupted grimly, wishing he could slam the door in her face. "You have returned, it seems. Uninvited, this time."

"I… Yes, well…" Harriet looked flustered as she let her hand fall when he did not take it. "How did you know who I am? I mean, we haven't met before that I can remember."

"I have… seen your photograph," Daniel covered quickly.

"Oh, that's very nice," Harriet cooed sweetly. "I'm very happy to know I'm remembered by my loving cousin. And I know she wouldn't mind my turning up at this late hour without telephoning first. It was all so last minute, you see. I have been just along the coast, visiting my very good friend Violet, when I received a letter from Emily with the glad news of your sudden nuptials."

She clasped her hands ecstatically in front of her. "I simply had to come and share in your wonderful news. Oh, I do so wish I could have been here for the happy day. I have yet to see my dear Carolyn in her wedding dress. The family were so disappointed the first time. And yet, here we are again…"

"It was a quiet wedding with no guests." Daniel regarded her levelly. "It's late and Carolyn has just gone up to bed. We have had a long day. I do not wish to disturb her."

"Oh, yes, yes, of course. I wouldn't dream of waking her if she's already asleep." Harriet nodded as she turned to indicate her car parked beyond the gate. "It's just a matter of someone being kind enough to help with bringing in my luggage."

She turned back hopefully. "And maybe a bite of something to eat. With all my troubles and false starts, I haven't had a thing all afternoon and I'm quite famished."

"You presume, Madam…" Daniel grimaced, knowing he was fast losing ground.

"I thought I heard the doorbell just now…" Martha appeared from the back of the house in her dressing gown. "Who on earth could be visiting at this time of night?"

She stopped and frowned when she saw Harriet. "Oh, that's who. I should have known. And we were just settling in to enjoy a nice bit of peace and quiet. I suppose it's just as well I prepared the guest room this morning."

"What's going on down there?" Carolyn appeared at the top of the stairs, also in her dressing gown. "I heard the doorbell as I was coming back from the bathroom. And why are you letting all the cold air into the house, Daniel?"

"We have an unexpected visitor," her husband replied hardly.

"Oh, I see…" Carolyn stopped and stared. "Harriet? What on earth are you doing here?"

Harriet stepped quickly around a disapproving Daniel and hurried into the foyer. "I'm so sorry to be such a nuisance at this time of night, my dear Carolyn. But I had a little car trouble on the way here. It's these awful Maine roads, they have so many hazards. I just know you wouldn't wish me to spend the night in my car on the side of a snowy road waiting to be rescued."

A shudder passed through her. "Why, anything could have happened to me in this wild place. I'm sure there's still a few pirates around these parts."

"No, of course, I wouldn't want you to spend the night in your car," Carolyn managed the lie with a straight face. "You know you're welcome here at any time."

She shrugged as she looked helplessly at Daniel standing behind her cousin. His expression was mutinous.

"I really don't wish to be a bother to anyone," Harriet hurried on. "I felt it was about time I came to visit my loving cousin and catch up on all her news. It seems so long since I was last here in this most charming house."

"It wasn't long enough," Martha muttered as she walked through the open door, taking her winter coat from the rack beside the door and pulling it on. "I suppose there are bags to be brought in and taken upstairs. We might as well get to it before midnight comes and we all freeze."

"Oh, you are so very kind," Harriet fluttered, avoiding any contact with Daniel as she left the house again, following Martha's lead down the front path.

"I guess I might as well go and give them a hand," Daniel added, his face a study in frustration. "We should never have wished for the impossible." He grabbed his heavy jacket from the rack beside the door.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't just tell her to go away again," Carolyn walked down the stairs. "Lord knows where she could have ended up."

"Yes, well, there is that temptation. Anywhere but here would suit me very nicely. The woman is a fraud and a menace," her husband grumbled as he pulled his jacket on before turning away to follow the two women down the front path.

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