My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

23

I was in the shower when the hotel phone rang and I ignored it. If it was important whoever, whatever it was about, would call again. It was best not to risk an accident by hurrying out, slipping, and falling. I was at the age where falls could have serious consequences.

So I took my time, luxuriating in the multi spray jets of hot water, and the expensive soap. The assorted soaps the hotel had provided fortunately included a very nice masculine scent that reminded me of freshly mown lawns. I also shaved again and wondered if Lee was also engaged in similar ablutions, especially as he suffered from 12 O'clock shadow in addition to 5 O’clock shadow.

A knock at the main door interrupted, but since it might be important, I pulled my robe off the door hook and soon peered through the peek hole.

“Joe?” I greeted my visitor as I opened the door. “What is it, what’s wrong?”

“Do you always assume something’s wrong when you see me, sir?”

“Er…well,” I said, rubbing my freshly shampooed and combed hair, “what is it then?” I added, as the Secret Service agents remained outside in the hall.

“Lee wants you to accompany him to greet Seaview. She should be pulling into the berth set aside for her on the Potomac in about an hour. To avoid ‘mis use’ of his office, he has to make it an official presidential ‘inspection’ and wants you to accompany him in uniform.”

“Yes, he spoke to me about that…before the wedding date had been set.”

“Then you’ll come? It’s not an order…but…he’s uneasy. He didn’t say so in so many words, but I could tell.”

“Uneasy? To visit his best girl? Aside from the living one, that is.”

“It’s not that. It’s that he’s visiting her as the president of the United States, not as her former skipper. I think he’s embarrassed.”

“Ah, well, there is that. He is embarrassed about his new, if temporary, job at times. Very well. Give me a few minutes.”

“Oh, and we’ll take your tux to the White House with us. You can change there once we get back from the boat,” he added as he opened the door and invited the agents in, one of them carrying an empty White House garment bag.

“As long as it doesn’t get wrinkled…just what kind of vehicle are going to stuff ourselves into this time?”

“White House sedan. And don’t worry. The front desk will inform Mrs. Nelson about your whereabouts as soon as she returns. There will be a car for her too.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Joe took me directly to the Oval Office after we arrived and submitted to the usual security check. I was getting heartily tired of them.

 Lee, fully dressed in a suit, was on the phone and noticeably angry. But when he saw me he smiled and motioned for me to take a seat.

“Yes, but…very well, but consider the congressional vote vetoed by me and put the proposal to them again! And read the test results this time! Uh huh…uh huh…it was meant to be sarcastic, you idiots…sorry. I’m under a little stress right now,” he added apologetically and hung up, then dragged a hand through his mussed up hair. He looked haggard, which I’d noticed he'd often looked while in office.

“I take it congress voted no on the Salt proposal,” I said, “or was it something else?”

“It was the Salt.  Well, at least I can make them discuss and vote on it again. At least once anyway.”

“Their next vote will be final, however?”

“Yeah. And if they vote no again, how the hell am I going to be able to explain a vote of no confidence in the plan, or in me, to the captain? He can still blow us up and take all he wants. At least I think so. We’re really not all that sure about the flotilla’s fire power. Something Melody and Numbers had said in passing about the captain’s spaceship.”

“Well? I’m all ears,” I said and sat on the edge of the famous desk.

“Apparently they’d had to avoid a planetary debris field the way here, like Melody’s mother’s ship had to. Well, the captain couldn’t completely destroy one of the smaller meteors in their path with their weapons. But damn it, with their technology, I’m pretty sure they can still cause considerable damage to us if they want to.”

He rubbed his eye. The other socket empty of the prostheses.

“I’m sorry, son, “this should be a happy day for you, not one with the cares of the world on your shoulders.”

“Literally,” he joked, trying to make light of the possible ramifications, “but it’s part of  the job description…I don’t envy any of the candidates running for a full term. Well,” he said, checking his watch. “We have a little time before heading to Seaview. She sure looked wonderful from the news helicopter cam,” he sighed longingly. Then he took a gold ring out of his shirt pocket, and showed it off. “If I forget, remind me to give this to Chip to keep safe for 1500…remember your lines?”

“Yes, but don’t be surprised if I have to read the script. I’m going to be so nervous, I may forget.”

He laughed and I patted his arm as he accompanied me to the ‘residential’ wing.

“Hey Winston!” he called out as the bulldog sauntered toward him from the family room. “Feel like a walk?”

The dog wagged his tail furiously.

“He knows the word,” Lee said proudly, then nodded toward a windowsill where Missy was sitting, watching life go by outside.

“Mel can’t understand why we don’t take Missy for a walk.”

“Actually,” I said as Lee reached for the leash and clicked it on the dog’s collar, and I moved to stroke the cat,  “some cats can be trained with a special body halter, but those cats are far and few between. I think Chip tried with Maleficent with disastrous results and several band aids.”

We laughed again, and headed through one corridor after another and down the fight of stairs (Lee prefers to use stairs whenever he can) to the foyer.

He stopped at the desk and informed the marine guard we were going to the ‘rock garden’.

Almost as soon as we stepped outside two Secret Service agents were with us.

“Can’t I do anything without babysitters?” Lee asked wearily.

“I’m sorry, Mr. President. It’s difficult for all presidents. But with recent events, it’s essential. We’ll try to keep our distance.”

One of the agents proceeded us, his sidearm hidden (I assumed he had a sidearm), and his mini radio in hand. The other agent waited for us to move and tailed us, doing the same.

“Have there been more death threats, Lee?” I asked, out of earshot but not really believing the agents couldn’t hear everything we were saying.( They were so well equipped with all sorts of gadgets.)

“No more than usual with any president I’m told.”

“Nightmare existence you have,” I said sadly.

“You said it.”

Lee let Winston off the leash and let him chase after some birds that had decided White House worms were tastier than those elsewhere. Of course, Winston didn’t have a chance but had a grand time barking to his heart’s content, rolling around in the lawn that was decorated with various manufactured ‘rocks’, their crevices filled with various plants and flowers along the pathway.

“Harry? I have to tell you, I’m a little nervous.”

“Well, you have a lot on your mind. And marriage is a life changing event.”

“Yes, but I’m more nervous about inspecting Seaview...not like I can just request ‘permission to come aboard’ or take the conn like I used to.”

“Why not, if you want to. Protocol be damned, after all, you’re the commander in chief,” I tried to make light of it. “But I don’t think anyone will mind welcoming the prodigal home, no matter what he is now, or how he wants to return to the fold.”

“I’m glad you’ll be with me. So will Drew. Joe’s staying behind to help keep Mom from arguing with Ms. Simpson about the short notice. The West Wing’s a bit upset with me. He’ll also handle greeting the mother and father of the bride when they arrive, not to mention other guests, if any come, that is. So far, there’ve been an awful lot of ‘regrets’.

“Well, at least you’ll have Chip, and anyone else from Seaview who want to attend.”

“Speaking of Seaview,” he said, checking his watch, “let’s get a move on. Winston? C’mon boy. Let’s go back.”

Winston obeyed and followed us without the need of the leash. After handing responsibility of the dog to one of the stewards, we waited for the presidential limo, flag flying, to pick us up. I said my hello’s to Ames, who, as the most junior officer, took his seat next to one of the agents accompanying us in the car.

It was a short drive to the dock and as we passed by other cars and pedestrians, they shot us various looks of shock and pleasure, and unfortunately, yes, even some ‘fingers’. Lee laughed at that, and said it made him feel better. Like he was a normal human being.

I never fail to be amazed by my boy.

A couple of civilian buses, no doubt hired by the White House to transport any Seaview guests, and the assistant secretary of the Navy, Mr. Talbot, were waiting as we drove up to the dock. The press and sightseers, were also waiting for us, kept back by a police barricade. But there wasn’t a protestor in sight.

An honor guard in dress whites were already topside aboard Seaview, along with Chip, O’Brien, Chief Sharkey, and Will, who'd probably insisted on getting a look at Lee up close and personal.

As the driver opened the door for us, they all snapped to attention.

“Ready?” I asked as Lee took a breath.

“Let’s go.”

I emerged first, my cover in place, and took my place to the side, at attention While Ames stood to attention opposite me.

“Mr. President,” Mr. Talbot, greeted Lee, hand extended, as he emerged, then took his place beside Lee as Ames and I tailed them to the gangplank.

Lee paused at the base, taking in the sight of his beloved lady then called out, “Permission to come aboard?”

Talbot was surprised at the action. It wasn’t something an incumbent president did, even after having had a naval career.

“Permission granted, Mr. President!” Chip replied, and nodded to the boatswain to pipe him aboard with the whistle refrain reserved for the commander in chief.

Lee saluted the flag, again something he really didn’t need to do, and strode up the gangplank, Talbot at his side, though a pace or two behind him. I felt like an ant as Ames followed me following them.

As soon as the whistle finished, and Lee stepped aboard, Chip saluted.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. President,”

Lee, returned the salute (he couldn’t help himself), then squeezed Chip’s arm.

“It’s good to see you, Chi…captain. It’s good to see all of you.”

A cough returned his attention to Talbot.

“May I present Mr. Talbot," Lee said.

More hand shaking, and the returning salutes with the command crew (where necessary) while the topside honor guard still stood ramrod straight.

“She’s looking beautiful, Chief,” Lee said as he deserted us and strode further down the deck to greet the crewmen. Oh, there was some formality, each giving Lee snappy salutes which he again returned. But since he’d already busted protocol, he also gave each hearty handshakes and squeezed a few shoulders as they engaged in light conversation. We couldn’t hear it, and I gently stopped Mr. Talbot from joining Lee. Lee deserved a little one on one time with his former crew.

Finally, Talbot coughed, loudly, then said, loudly, “Shall we inspect the ship, Mr. President?”

I could tell Lee would rather not, at least in an official capacity, but duty called and he joined us.

Chip extended his arm to indicate that Lee precede him below.

“Must be odd for you,” Talbot told Lee, “coming aboard as the president of the United States instead of as her captain.”

“Just so I come aboard,” Lee said and in minutes we were all at the base of the control room’s ladder.

He must have already told the men to stand down from attention by the time our party got down the ladder. He he was speaking with Riley, telling him he expected the young man to win the next surfing championships, then with Patterson, about his brother Stan who was now Scuba instructor at the Naval Academy.

“This is supposed to be an official inspection Mr. President,” Talbot interrupted sarcastically, “not a family reunion.”

“Actually," Lee said, "it’s a little of both. Captain Morton? Would you care to begin?”

“Right away Mr. President…if you’ll follow Seaman Kowalski, he’ll point out the various compartments for you to examine.…”

“You first, Mr. Talbot,” Lee said. “I just remembered that I need to check one of the captain’s reports I need for the appropriations committee when Seaview’s on official business. I’ll join you shortly. Kowalski, make sure Mr. Talbot receives a ‘complete’ tour. As our assistant secretary of the Navy he expects to get up close and personal with all the vessels in his charge. Even part time vessels like Seaview. Ames, why don’t you accompany them. You know a great deal more about cost effective equipment for Seaview in comparison to active duty vessels, than he does, I’m sure.”

“If you’ll join me in the observation nose to study the reports, Mr. President?” Chip said “O’Brien, you have the conn.”

“Aye, sir.”

“If you don’t mind,” I said, “I’ll join the tour,” giving the boys a slight wink.

How I longed to be a fly on the wall, but left them to their privacy.

“There is no report, is there,” Talbot said as we walked along the corridor toward the circuitry room, the first compartment on the tour.

“Probably not.”

“He still hasn’t gotten her out of his system has he?”

“Nope.”

“Then let’s give him a little extra time before he joins us out of duty.”

Ski was as good as his word, showing off the compartments, nooks and crannies that weren’t generally included on any official visit.  And Talbot made sure he asked Ski question after question to slow the tour down.

Finally, after about forty five minutes Lee and Chip joined us.

“Got all the data you need?” I asked, acting innocent as a lamb.

“I believe the president is completely satisfied, sir,” Chip said.

I knew he must be if the slight scent of whiskey on their breaths meant anything.

“How far are we along, Kowalski?” Lee asked.

“Well, we still have the Missile Room and Sick Bay…”

“Ah, well, with Mr. Talbot's permission, we’re running a little late. Perhaps another time?” he asked Talbot.

“A disappointment,” he lied. “Thank you Seaman. It was a grand tour. And I can safely say, that Seaview is certainly up to spec.”

“Yes sir!”

“Kowalski,” Lee said taking the crewman’s hand. “Good job. And I hope to see you at the wedding if you’re not on the secure watch.”

“I’ll be there, Skipper…I mean Mr. President.”

“Does take time to get used to it, even for me. My regards to everyone I didn’t have a chance to meet, okay?”

“You got it!”

With that Lee turned and led the way back to the control room.

We were greeted with cheers from an even larger crowd as we emerged topside. Lee waved then saluted the flag as he made his descent.

After we’d said our goodbyes to Talbot, we waved to the crew and the crowd again, got into the limo and were on our way back to the White House.

“Well?” I asked.

“Chip has the ring for safe keeping. And,” he added with a smirk, “Crewman Walker was in good form.”

“Glad to hear it,” I chuckled regarding the shots of Johnny Walker he and Chip had shared.

“Chip will release the men for shore leave about an hour before the wedding.”

“Which should be about now.”

“Yeah,”

“Nervous?”

“Yes, no….”

“Need any help with your tux? Won’t take me long to get into mine.”

“Probably. I…I’ve lost a little weight….”

“Definitely.”

“And I’m not sure if I should wear the eye patch or not.”

“Whatever makes you the most comfortable.”

“Melody wants Winston and Missy in attendance. I told her it wasn’t customary to invite pets…but I’m wondering if it might be a nice concession on my part. They can sit up front. Well, at least Winston can. I think Missy might need to be confined to a carrier.”

“Lee, I don’t think it’s a good idea for either…why not just include them in the wedding photograph. Besides, it’s getting cloudy, and looks like more rain. You do have provisions for inclement weather?”

“Well, there’s an awning…”

“Let’s hope we don’t need it….ah, looks like the in-laws have arrived,” I said as we arrived near the gate. The spaceship shuttle was guarded by both our marines and a few of their crew.

Mrs. C. met us at the door, and waited impatiently as we endured the security check. I was surprised Lee allowed it for himself. A show of good faith I supposed for what we mere mortals had to endure.

“About time,” Mrs. C. said, embracing Lee. “We were beginning to get worried. And shave off that stubble. I swear you should have a professional hair removal program…. The in-laws and Lt. Numbers are mingling with some of the other guests in the rose garden. At least they brought along some of their own spirits. Emily is already here, Harriman. Lovely outfit if I say so myself. Lee, you did remember to give Chip the ring?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Well, don’t just stand here. Run along. Chip’s on his way along with your crew…I’ll send Chip up right away, Lee. And Ms. Simpson said you hadn’t come to a decision about having the cat and dog at the ceremony.”

“Tell her they won’t be. But they’ll be included in the inside wedding photographs.”

“Thank God. That woman is impossible. All she ever does is complain, though I did see her negative point of view about animals at the ceremony.”

It was hard to keep from laughing as we headed to our respective suites.

I could hear Melody’s delightful tones, along with Angie’s and Emmie’s as the bride prepped.

I hurried to my suite and quickly dressed, then headed to Lee’s and was given immediate access by Edwards. Lee was giving his hair a final comb.

“Need any help? That cummerbund looks lose.”

“Everything’s lose. But there’s no time to take anything in.”

“Mr. President?” one of the marines asked, peering in, “Captain Morton is here.”

“Great, send him in,” I answered for Lee.

“How’s the bridegroom?” Chip asked as he took in Lee’s ill fitting tux. “Well, nobody really notices the groom anyway. Still,” he added, taking out a paper four leaf clover from one of his pockets. “For luck. The crew insisted. There was a contest on who made the best one. Sharkey won. You can tuck in anywhere out of the way. Like the bride does with something blue.”

“No way. This has a place of honor,” Lee said and put it in his buttonhole instead of the white carnation set out for it.

I could just hear the fashion magazines groaning.

“Don’t forget to move your onyx ring to you other hand.  You need that one up for the wedding band.”

“Thanks. I forgot all about that.”

“Speaking of rings,” I said, “I don’t recall hearing anything about Melody purchasing you ring.”

“We’ll be using my dad’s, at least temporarily.  Mom brought it. But I'm going to feel a little weird wearing his.”
“Well, all we have to do now is wait,” Chip said and sat down in one of the chairs. “Need any last minute advise? You know, man to man.”

“I think I know the basics,” Lee smirked.

“Where will you’ll be spending your honeymoon?”

“Camp David. The plan now is for two days. We’ll have a proper honeymoon when I can finally get out of here.”

“Don’t be too sure about that, Skipper,” Chip said, "some of the tabloids are suggesting you as a write in candidate.”

“Oh, Lord….”

“Excuse me, sirs,” Edwards said, peering in again,"the guests are pretty much assembled. The bridal party should start taking their places. Admiral?

I patted Lee on the shoulder.

“Meet you downstairs, Lee.”

Outside, the dark clouds looked ready to break into rain. But we’d have to deal with that when it happened. The Marine Band was already playing ‘Ode to Joy’. I smiled at the sight of  Emmie who was already seated up front, stunning in a peach dress and lace jacket. Even her shoes and handbag matched. Mrs. C., next to her, was wearing a bright yellow dress, decorated with embroidered daisies. Jiggs, Joe, and Ames, all in dress whites were seated next to her.

I made my way forward, stopping on occasion to meet and greet some of the guests I knew, and also to the sea of white that were the Seaview’s officers and crew.  The mayor, and the ambassador of the UK were seated next to him. Neither had been thrilled with the idea of a human / alien marriage, but both smiled as Jiggs gave me a thumbs up when I took my place by the podium.

 Suddenly the band interrupted the Ode and began ‘Hail to the Chief’ as Lee, who had opted for the black eyepatch, and Chip came down the aisle, greeting the guests as I had, though they were standing up in honor of the president.

There were more guests than I’d figured on, but then I saw that near one of the garden sheds, stacks of chairs that had probably been removed once the RSVP’s had come in. Lee and Chip took their stance as bridegroom and best man.

The guests sat down and awaited the big moment, as the White House cameras continued to roll the live, non-narrative broadcast. No doubt the press, outside the gates, would add their own narratives.

I could see Lt. Numbers and a few of his shipmates, all in what were probably their formal uniforms, with equal scowls as the mother of the bride had on her face.

She was wearing a metallic sheath type dress, studded with some kind of gem stones, which didn’t alter the fact that to me, she looked rather like a witch.

Hold it Harriman, I chided myself. I was being almost as bad as Ronald, judging by appearances.

Angie was next to walk toward us, wearing  a long yellow dress and carrying white daisies, and took her place opposite the boys as Melody’s bridesmaid.

A fanfare blared and the band began to play the traditional ‘Here Comes the Bride’.

All rose again, again, a traditional courtesy, as her father, resplendent in his glittering alien uniform, began to escort Melody who was wearing a sophisticated A-line white wedding dress, down the aisle. She wasn’t wearing a veil. Only gemstones and flowers on the back of her skull where her hair began.  

The girl was nervous and held on to her father’s arm tightly, with occasional nods of greeting to some of the White House staff including some undercover Secret Service agents I recognized.

Just then a stream of sunlight broke through the dark clouds and bathed her in what some might have called a good omen or Heavenly approval.

What can I say. Despite the ladder of sunshine and her wedding attire, none of it took away from the ugliness of the bride. But her smile toward Lee almost made up for it. But then I saw what Lee saw in her.  A kind a beauty that transcended outward appearance as she gazed at him with complete trust and unconditional love. Her very soul.

The captain handed Melody over to Lee with a grunt and took his seat next to his wife.

It was time.

I took a breath and cleared my throat and grabbed the script from out of my cummerbund, placing it on the podium. Just in case I forgot the necessary words to make the union legal.

“We are gathered today,” I began, “to join Lee and Melody in matrimony which is recognized by both their worlds as a binding state of sharing their lives, their hopes, their dreams, and their love one with the other…

“Do you, Lee, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love her, honor her, and keep her, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?”

“I do,” Lee said and we could hear both applause and moans from the people assembled outside of the grounds, and watching on the live broadcasts.

“Do you, Melody, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love him, honor him, and keep him, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?”

“I do.”

“The rings,” I asked Chip and Angie who handed them over to me.

“These are symbols of eternity.  Wear them in honor and remembrance of the vows you make to each other today…

“Lee,” I said handing him the smaller ring, “place this ring on the bride’s finger and repeat after me… with this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed,” Lee said putting it on her finger, and raised her hand to his lips.

“Melody,” I said, handing her Edward Crane’s ring, “place this ring on the bridegroom’s finger and repeat after me…with this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed,” she said, sliding it onto Lee’s finger and raised Lee’s hand to her lips.

“In so much as Lee and Melody have pledged themselves, each to each other, by the authority vested in me by the District of Columbia, I now pronounce them man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

He did and the crew erupted in cheers. The invited guests simply applauded, some with cheerfulness, some simply putting up with something they couldn’t do anything about but had accepted as a necessary evil.

Then the happy couple headed down the aisle back to the White House as the band played the traditional recessional common to many weddings.

Chip and Angie followed, and I took Lee’s new mother-in-law’s hand, while Emmie took the captain’s, and we soon joined the bride and groom inside at the Grand Staircase where the wedding pictures were going to be taken.  

It took awhile, to satisfy both the photographer, Mrs. C., and Emmie. And of course to include the pets. The pictures would be online and in newspapers shortly.

Finally, we were finished, the pets taken back upstairs to the living quarters by staff, and we headed to the last minute reception. 

It wasn’t elaborate as White House affairs go, but guests were treated to champagne, Mur (courtesy of the aliens),  caviar on toast points, hot crab dip for imported crackers (delicious), assorted canapé’s, fruit and cheese.

Lee came over to Emmie and me, after he and his bride had mingled with the guests, thanking them for coming.

“Thank you, Father Nelson, ” the new First Lady said, “ I can call you that for real now. It was a won-der-ful ceremony.”

“Welcome to the family, my dear,” Emmie said, giving her a hug, as she gave Lee one.“I’m so proud of you, son.”

“There you lovebirds are,” Mrs. C. interrupted as she approached. “Aren’t you going to cut the cake?”

“There is no cake, is there?” Melody asked Lee.

“We didn’t request one.”

“No, you didn’t. But what’s a wedding without a cake. Ms. Simpson and I decided on it. Don’t worry, Melody. It’s not a real cake. It’s frosted brownies all set on top of one another. But you’re still expected to cut the top and feed it to Lee.”

“But what if he is not hungry?”

“I’m always hungry for brownies,” Lee said, squeezing her.

The photographer got a few shots of that, and the captain tapped his glass of Mur to make an announcement. Damn, I’d forgotten to write one.

“I was at first up-set that my daughter de-ci-ded to bond with a human, your species is new to us. Un-fam-i-liar, and strange. But, if Lee is any ex-amp-le of humans, then I am sat-is-fied that she will be happy. And that is all that counts.”

Appreciative applause.

More drinks, more food. And it was soon time for the bride and groom to take their leave of us. Hugs and kisses with the family, squeezes and pats on the shoulders with friends, waves of goodbye.

I took Lee aside after he’d kissed his mom.

“I just wanted to say,” I began, “I’m so proud of you. Proud of you both.” Then I kissed him on the forehead and her on the cheek. “Good luck, children, with your new lives together.”

She wiped the tear off my cheek, then got into the limo for the  drive to Camp David. Lee waved to all of us, joined her, and the bride and groomed were on their way.

“If he hurts her, in any way,” the captain told me, “he will answer to me.”

Taking his wife’s arm they headed out and with Lt. Numbers, were soon flying back up into orbit.

“Cheech,” Ames said.

“Do you think he means it?” Chip asked.

“He thinks he does, like most fathers,” I said.

“I wouldn’t worry,” Joe said. “I put a long range bug on the captain’s and Number's uniforms when they weren’t looking. Any plans to throttle Lee, we’ll know about it.”

“Does Lee know?” Chip asked.

“We’re spook buddies, what do you think? He may be head over heels in love with Melody, but he’s still not too sure about the aliens and what they might do.”

“You okay, dear?” Emmie asked, approaching me, with Mrs. C. on one side.

“Yes, yes…”

“Well,” Emmie said, “you know they haven’t even opened some of their wedding presents yet. Did you give them ours?”

“The letter’s waiting for them at Camp David. Sent it by courier earlier.”

“Letter?” Mrs. C. asked.

“Yes,” Emmie said. “We bought them a house in Santa Barbara. Overlooks the ocean. Not a cottage, not a mansion. And needs a little work. But has its own private beach, and enough room for any future…arrivals. God help us.”

“You can’t think that they…”Mrs. C. asked.

“No, of course not,” I said, “but remember, ‘first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Lee with a baby carriage.”

“What would it be like, I wonder, if they have a kid,” Chip said.

“God only knows,” I said as Emmie and I took our leave and were soon being driven back to the hotel, where exhausted, we changed, and put our feet up on the outside terrace to watch the sunset. And then the stars. Where the captain and his wife were still orbiting. It wasn’t a very happy thought, not with his ‘warning’. Though, no way Lee would ever willingly hurt his bride. But as in any marriage, there were bound to be spats and squabbles. Who knew if she’d ‘phone home’ to cry on daddy’s shoulder, and what he might do in return.

I had to stop myself, I was letting my imagination get carried away. But I’m only human, after all.