ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM.........by Terri

Rhys leaned back and put the cold tankard on his forehead. He closed his eyes. He smiled slightly. Sons! Not one, but two! Never in a million years would I have thought...
Smitty sat next to him. Rhys kept his eyes closed. "What do you want, Smitty?"
Smitty said, "How did you know it was me?"
Rhys replied, "You are the only pirate on this island that eats garlic."
Smitty said, "Aye. That I am. That young man. He find you?"
Rhys said, "He surely did."
"A shirttail relation?"
"Something like that, Smitty. Funny how when life hands you lemons, sometime you get lemonade!"
Smitty stood up. "Aye. But I prefer the ale. See ye around, Rhys."

Rhys sat there, letting the sun from the glazed windows shine on his face. He thought of Cornwall and that day what seemed like oh, so long ago...

Rhys looked back one more time before they set sail. He saw the Stafford estates and their lands and kept imagining Megaera as a reluctant prisoner in that mansion of no love. From what she said and from what I have heard, her father is one mean bastard.
"Weigh anchor!" he yelled to the crew. Molly came over and stood by his side. She put her arm through his. "Rhys? A shilling for your thoughts?"
Rhys said, "Kind of hate to leave Cornwall, that's all."
"WHAT??" Molly said. "You? Hate to leave land? That's rich! I thought you'd be jumping out of your skin to leave that place! You hate to stay more than 3 days on land. What is our next venture..or should I say 'victim'?"
Rhys looked towards the horizon and pointed. "I heard the Isabella is due to come back within the week. She'll be following the trade routes and laden with gold and riches from the New World. It's our aim to make this our big score."
Molly jumped around and clapped her hands in glee. "A genius maneuver, as ever, Rhys!"
Rhys looked at her and said, "Aye. And we need to talk about our future tonight, Molly. Future plans."
Molly kissed him on the cheek. "Sounds like a plan to me!" She started below deck.
"Future plans, future plunders, future adventures! You and me, Rhys! As always!"
Rhys watched her go below and then he took a deep breath of sea air. That always calmed him down. I'll give Molly a good share--an extra share--of the booty. That may sweeten the pot. Lord knows she will be upset a bit after I tell her the plans..which don't include her. He stood on deck at the captain's wheel and watched as Cornwall got smaller and smaller in the distance.

"Molly? We need to talk. Now."
Molly was sittiing at the table in the captain's quarters."Rhys, you should try these oranges! In Cornwall, the trees ripen this time of year. Since it is on the water it has a temperate climate..you just pick them right off the trees! I snagged these from the old Stafford estate...heard he's a nasty piece of work. Rules his household with an iron fist. Two daughters...bet they are the spoiled little princesses of the manor. Here! Try one!"
She held an orange out to him. Rhys shook his head. Molly leaned back on the bed and smiled at him. "You want to talk. So...start talking. This sea air does wonders for my appetite and my.."
Rhys turned around and said, "Would you for once just shut up and listen to me? You are always going on and on about this and that. What I have to say is important and changes things. For both of us."
Molly put her hand out in front of her like she was admiring an imaginary ring on her finger. "So talk, darlin' Rhys. Tell me what is in store for us."
Rhys took a deep breath and just plunged right in. "It's over, Molly."
"Over? What is over, love?"
"Us. The plundering, the pillaging..I want to quit and become a respectable citizen again."
Molly burst out laughing. "Oh, that's rich! Rhys, you have such a delightful sense of humour! I love it! I always loved that about you!" She jumped up and threw her arms around him. She kissed him soundly on the lips.
"Ok, Rhys, seriously. What are the plans? Something bigger than the Isabella? The whole Spanish Main? Wonderful! We'll take them all, Rhys! You and me! We will be legendary! Children hundreds of years from now will whisper our names in the dark and cry for their mommies and daddies because we shall be the most fearsome pirates that ever sailed the Caribbean! NO! The entire oceans of the world!"
Rhys looked at her and exploded. "WOULD YOU FOR ONCE SHUT UP, MOLLY? DAMN! That is what is so irritating about you! You can't shut up and you can't tell the forest for the trees. The fact is that I want to quit pirating all together. I want to settle down in Cornwall."
Molly frowned. "Cornwall? But there is nothing there. I would be bored out of my mind. Why not Barbados or Jamaica. Even Tortuga would be more fun."
Rhys said. "You hate Tortuga. Tortuga hates you. Nay, Molly. I am quitting pirating. And I am quitting you."
Molly looked at him unbelievingly. "Quitting pirating..QUITTING ME?? I think not, Rhys Morgan!"
Rhys sat down on the bed next to her. "You deserve to know the truth, Molly. When we were in Cornwall, I fell in love. I plan to go back and ask for her hand in marriage. I will sell the Renegade and split the profits with you. Equal share. Fifty-fifty. But I want out."

Molly's mouth was working but the words didn't come out. Finally she found her voice and said with deadly calm, "And who is this strumpet you are leaving me for?"
Rhys said, "It doesn't matter."
Molly jumped up. "Doesn't matter? DOESN'T MATTER? Like HELL it doesn't matter! Oh, I know! One of those doxies trolling the wharfs! How could you be so stupid, Rhys? You know you are just one of..."
Rhys closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. "You don't understand, Molly. She's not that kind of girl."
Molly's eyes were blazing. "A SHOP girl? You fell in love with a dressmaker? Or..heaven forbid!..a milliner?"
Rhys said softly, "No. None of those."
Molly said nastily, "Well, the only ones left are that mean bloke Staffords precious daughters and I can't see THEM giving you the time of.. oh no! NO!!"
Rhys sat there in silence.
Molly flared. "You are dumping me and your life for the high mucky-muck life for 'to the manor born', is that it? IS THAT IT?"
Rhys nodded. This is not going well, he thought.
"Yes, Molly. I'll be honest with you. I am going back and asking Julia Megaera Stafford for her hand in marriage."
Molly yelled, "JUST THE HAND?? You'd better hope you get the rest to go with it, Rhys!"
She raised her hand to slap Rhys in the face. He caught her hand before it made contact. She looked at his hand and said quietly, "Your ring. Your family ring. It is gone."
Rhys said nothing.
Molly railed, "YOU GAVE IT TO THAT STRUMPET!! That strumpet with all the fancy manners and the fine clothes and the money and the name! All of that will not turn you into a gentleman, Rhys Morgan! Once a pirate, always a pirate!"
Rhys said softly, "I am sorry I hurt you, Molly."
Molly swiftly broke his grasp from her hand and fled out of the room. Her parting words to Rhys were, "NOT HALF AS SORRY AS YOU ARE GOING TO BE, RHYS!"

Rhys did not see Molly the rest of the day. She was holed up in the captain's quarters. He had no idea what she was up to. And at that point he didn't even want to know. He just wanted out. Of the whole pirate's life. All he wanted was a normal life. All he wanted was Megaera.

Rhys went down to dine in his quarters. Molly was there, wearing a deep purple silk dress that Rhys had purchased for her when he was in London. She had her strawberry blonde hair coiled up on her head, tendrils framing her face.
"Hello, Rhys, darling. Come! Let us have dinner. The cook made us some lamb that we took with us from Cornwall....these leeks and potatoes. Best enjoy them while they are fresh."
Rhys shook his head no. "How do I know you haven't poisoned the food?" Molly looked at him in surprise. "I'm giving you a chance to forget about your disastrous scheme, Rhys. What is it going to be?"
Rhys steeled his resolve. "I'm out of here, Molly. I'm going straight. Sell the boat, split the profits and say goodbye. I can't do this anymore."
Molly looked sad. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Rhys. I really am. I was hoping you would change your mind."
She stood up and opened the door. Smead and Laddy came forward. The last thing Rhys felt was a blow to his head. Then blackness.

MAROON[ED} DOES NOT SUIT YOU

Rhys woke up to bright daylight. His head throbbed. He looked up. There was his crew with their swords pointed at him. He rubbed his head. "What the hell is going on?"
Smead looked at him. "What ye think, Morgan? We're takin' over the ship!" "What are you talking about, Smead? The rest of you haven't half a brain between you."
Laddy said derisively, "Nay, but she does!" He pointed to Molly. Molly came forward. "I'm taking over, Rhys. You have proved traitorous to us. Not to be trusted. The crew voted me captain. ME, Rhys."
Smead said, "Aye, that we did. And we voted NOT to kill ye, Morgan."
Rhys said, "What DO you intend?"
Laddy said, "We voted to make ye governor of yer own island. See that 'ere spit o' land?"
Rhys looked out and saw a small island with palm trees. Ordinarily a scenic spot. Now all he could see was certain death. He turned to Molly. "You have GOT to be kidding."
Molly said, "I gave you a chance, Rhys. You are breaking the code. Just be glad the crew likes you enough not to kill you."
Smead said, "Aye. This way ye have a fightin' chance. Mayhap you will get rescued. But we doubt it. And we ain't bringin' the ship over to the island. Ye CAN swim, can't ye? And if not...tough breaks."

Rhys was standing on the end of the plank. Molly said, "I'm sorry it ended up like this, Rhys. I love you. But if I can't have you, Lady Stafford can't either. Just be glad we didn't bind your hands. At least you can swim to shore."
Smead gave him his pistol, one shot, and one bottle of water. "The bullet is for whatever you see fit. Ye can starve or shoot yourself." Rhys turned to look at his crew one more time. "Mutiny. The darkest center of hell is reserved for the likes of you."
With that, Laddy jumped on the end of the plank and catapulted Rhys off the end. He hit the water and came up, sputtering. Smead yelled, "God have mercy on your soul, Rhys Morgan!"


It's been three days, Rhys thought. That pistol was beginning to look pretty friendly. I could just end it. I am running out of coconuts and date palms and I sure don't feel like eating raw fish. He made his mind up that day that by nightfall he would do the honorable thing and end it all. He thought of Megaera and wondered how she would take it, Rhys not coming back. He broke his word. Broke it to the woman he loved more than life itself. Forgive me, Meggie. I love you!

Rhys sat there all day thinking and waiting for nightfall. In the distance he saw white sails. Hallucinating. That's all it is...but the 'hallucination' came closer and closer..

"Ahoy, man! What are you doing here all by yourself? Ah! Marooned! Made Governor of your own island, eh?"
Rhys was talking to the lead man. He was a man of Portuguese descent. His name was Joao Rodrigue.
"Can you give me passage back to..anywhere? Anywhere off this God-forsaken island?"
Rodrigue nodded his head. "Aye. We be headed for Tortuga. Had to pick up some of the rum we dropped." The man knocked on a tree and began to pace off 15 steps. He jumped up and down. The ground bounced with impact. Joao reached down and moved the palm fronds away. There was a wooden lid. Joao lifted it and disappeared down into the depths. From below, his voice carried. "This is where we stashed our rum when the commodores and British navy come too close. We then ship to Kingston and they distribute it. Clever, huh?"
Rhys was in shock. A whole cache of rum and I was sitting on it?
Joao's head appeared. "Here, man. Some bottles. Come! We celebrate your deliverance, right? Right!"


_________________.....by Terri

Rhys stepped off the boat in Tortuga. He had a terrible cold. He bid good bye to his good friend Joao Rodrigue. "God be with you, Morgan! Here. Here are some coins to carry you through and arrange passage back...no, don't protest! You would help me in the same spot, right? Right!"
Rhys protested, "No, I can't..."
Joao interrupted. "Let's do it this way. Consider it a loan. If--WHEN--I see you again, you can pay me back. Alright?"
Rhys was moved to tears. He coughed and extended his hand to Joao. "I can't thank you enough. I need to find lodging and a meal and arrange passage back to Cornwall."
Rhys shuffled down the alley and found a small inn. He was burning with fever.
"An ale and a bowl of stew, please."
But before the inn keeper put it on the table, Rhys passed out.

"Wh-where am I?" Rhys tried to sit up.
"Hush! You've been very sick for the last two weeks. We almost lost you. You are very weak."
A cool cloth was applied to his head. Rhys looked through bleary eyes and saw a very thin woman with pale blonde hair and hazel eyes. She wore a dress that at one time was finery. Now it was worn out. She continued to mop his brow and wring out the cloth. He sat up and fell back weakly. "Got-got to get home..."
The woman had a french accent. "Mais non, you are going nowhere, cher. You contracted fever that is known from the islands. You will be weak for a while."
Rhys tried to speak. "How--how long have I been here?"
Monique took a bowl of broth and stirred it. "You have been unconscious and out of your head for almost two weeks. Kept calling for someone named Meg. Here. Open your mouth."
She fed Rhys a bowl of weak broth. Two weeks. I have to get back. Back to Cornwall.
Rhys tried to stand up but fell back. Monique pulled his legs back into bed and covered him up. "Quelle domage, cher. But you are not going anywhere for a long time!"
Rhys asked her, "What is the date, Miss..?"
"Monique. Je m'appelle Monique Du Bois. Cher..it is March 22, 1610." Rhys fell back on the pillows and put his arm over his eyes. Megaera expected me back by the end of February. I promised her. And now here is the first promise I have broken...and it had to be to her.


Rhys stood on the bow of the ship, breathing deeply of the salt air. June in Cornwall. I can't believe it took me this long to get there. The fever was over at the end of March. And then another month to recover. Another month to try and find passage back to England. Finally! This vessel is pretty utilitarian but at least it stops in Cornwall. Oh, Megaera, forgive me for being so long.

By the week's end, Rhys docked in Land's End. He caught a ride with a farmer going to Penzance. Within the hour he was checked into the local inn under the name of Richard Moore. He didn't want to alert the Stafford manor of his presence in Cornwall. He sat down and carefully wrote his note to Megaera---

Meggie, darling--Sweetheart, please forgive me. I will explain everything when I see you. I am leaving this note in our crevice as you can see. Please let me know when you will be able to meet me in the cave. Bring everything with you and we will leave Penzance immediately. You say you have news for me. I can't imagine what it is..but it sounds important. I will check everyday...forever if I have to...until I can see you and hold you again. And never let you go. I love you forever. Yours, Rhys.

Every day Rhys checked the crevice. Within five days, his note was gone and in its place was a note-- I shall meet you tomorrow here at noon. Please be here---Megaera.

Rhys felt like the next day would never come. He read and re-read the note over and over again. Something was not right. This did not sound like Megaera. So--impersonal. Almost...cold. Finally, it was noon. Rhys took everything that was his and shoved it into a duffel bag. He climbed down the cliffs and went to the cave. He sat on a boulder and waited. He heard a noise behind him. "Megaera!"
Instead, he was looking into the cold, cold eyes of Lord Timothy Stafford.
"Expecting someone else, Morgan?"
Rhys jumped to his feet. He gave a mock salute to Lord Stafford. But his heart was beating fast. He put on a false bravado. "Ahh, the noble Lord Stafford. How goes it, my liege?"
Lord Stafford sauntered over to where Rhys stood. He said in a deadly calm voice, "I should kill you right now where you stand. I know all about you and my daughter. She came to me and confessed right after it happened. I was ready to send her to a convent. But then we came to an agreement."
Rhys took a step forward. "What have you done with Megaera?"
Lord Stafford looked at Rhys with disdain. "I am here to inform you that Megaera is gone."
Rhys stopped. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?"
"Gone. As in not here. As in not in Cornwall. I had a maid write that note so you would show up. I could have let you dangle on the rope waiting and waiting for her to show up. But I wanted the pleasure of telling you myself."
Rhys' heart dropped to his feet. "What are you wanting to tell me? Let's get on with it and quit playing these cat-and-mouse games."
Lord Stafford was enjoying twisting the knife. "Alright. Here it is. Megaera will not be coming back. She married in April. To a man of her station. She is not living in Cornwall anymore. She has changed her name and is delirously happy. She told me about the two of you, asked for forgiveness and wanted to put the unpleasant incident behind her. She accepted the marriage proposal of a man who is totally smitten with her. As she is of him. So I am informing you that you can wait here all you want. But she isn't coming. She's moved on. As you had best do. Because I will tell you this, Rhys Morgan. Pirates are not welcome on Stafford lands. I am giving you warning now. Set one foot on Stafford lands and it will be a short stop and a sudden drop. So pirate--ye be warned."
And with that, Lord Stafford turned and left the cave.

____________.......by Terri

Rhys sat on the boulder for an hour, just staring out to sea. She didn't wait for me...she's married... He repeated it like a mantra. Finally he stood up. His heart was heavy. He stared back at the Stafford mansion. Then he turned and headed for the tavern in Penzance.
Rhys was totally bewildered. The innkeeper came over to him. "What'll ye have, son?"
Rhys said absentmindedly, "Hmmm? Ale. A tankard of ale."
The innkeeper came back and put it down. "That be all?"
"For now."
Rhys sat there and drank his ale. He signaled for another one. The innkeeper's daughter, a pleasant girl named Maud, approached Rhys. She said shyly, "Can I get ye anything to eat?"
Rhys shook his head. Maud leaned over. "Ye be alright?"
Rhys shook his head. "Don't think I ever will be."
Maud sat down. "Ah, it be a girl ye be pinin' for..isn't it?"
Rhys shook his head no. Need to play this one carefully, he thought. "I hear tell there was a fancy to-do wedding up at Stafford Manor a few months ago. One of Lord Stafford's daughters..which one was it again?"
Maud said, "Oh, that be Miss Megaera. Funny thing about that, no one in the parish knew she was betrothed. It were one minute she be here, the next she be not. I hear tell he was a baron or something like that. Also, funny thing. The banns were not posted in Cornwall. Yet she be married here."
Rhys tried to act casual. "I should think she would want to be close to home."
Maud shook her head. "Oh no! I hear Lord Stafford set that one up the country. She'll not be back in Cornwall. Not for a long time..if ever." Maud glanced at her father's disapproving look. "I best be gettin' set for the dinner crowd."
Rhys sat there brooding over the new information. Banns not posted? If she is deliriously happy, why were they not posted here in her home town. She was married here. Someone is covering something up. And I suppose I shall never know.
She's happy. And she's gone.
And I am gone too.

Rhys stayed into the late night and drank himself into oblivion. He took some ale and went to his room. He continued to drink until he passed out. And he continued this pattern for a week. Finally he sobered up long enough to catch the first ship out of the harbor. It was headed back to Tortuga.


______________.......by Terri

Rosamond gathered her skirts up and looked both ways on the main street of Tortuga. Damn John for taking off on a time travel without me! Now I have to go and drag his butt out of here before he gets in trouble! I swear, that man makes the shenanigans that little Will gets into look harmless! and then I have to punish Will for getting into trouble. And what example does he have? A father that bops all over time and space. And for what? Now I have to go back and make sure he gets out of here in one piece. Imagine that brainless pirate thinking I was this Gisele person! Must be a woman of the street..shhesh! A parrot besides! Think he would wash his shirt off, leave the parrot at home or at least get Polly some Pampers!

Rose searched in half a dozen taverns. She went down a dark and dank alley and came across one called the Port Royal. She walked in. This one is a real dive!
Her eyes adjusted to the dimness. She scanned around the room. Finally her heart skipped a beat! There in a corner table with sunlight from the window shining on his face was her very own John. His eyes were closed. Rosamond marched up to him.
She stopped and looked at him, her arms folded across her chest. I must say, that outfit is pretty authentic. Bethia must have been in on it and whipped it up on her sewing machine. Nice job. Maybe he can go as a pirate to the Halloween party next year. I must say he DOES look really sexy...that puffy shirt...those tan breeches. And where the heck did he get that pirate hat? That's really cool...didn't realize it was time for John to get a haircut..he looks good with his hair longer...and those boots..really cool...
What the heck am I doing? Looking over my husband as if he were prime Grade-A beef! This ain't no disco! And it sure isn't a singles bar!
Rhys' boots were on the table and he was lounging back, a grimace on his face.
Rose looked closely. Must be having a bad dream again..maybe John needs a therapist to help him work through this... Rose drew her foot back and swiftly kicked his feet off the table.
"JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING HERE??"
Rhys jumped up and looked at Rose blearily. "Gisele?"
Rose pushed him back in his seat. "Gisele?? GISELE?? YOU CHEATER!!"

Rhys got unsteadily to his feet. He collapsed back into the chair again. The combination of ale, his dreams and this blonde woman who looked like Gisele standing in front of him confused his mind.
"I-I'm sorry, Gisele! I guess I am late..didn't mean to stand you up..." Rose grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of his seat. Whoa, Gisele must have muscles I don't know about!
Rosamond was on a total rampage. "How dare you! HOW DARE YOU!! Time traveling without me! Again! And after all I--we--have been through!" Rhys looked closely at what was his daughter-in-law. But he didn't know it.
"I-I'm sorry..." he began.
But Rose was over the top now..and was blowing it. Her top, that is. "I can't believe it! What ever possessed you to come to Tortuga. NO! Don't give me any backtalk! I don't think I have ever been so upset with you! OK, so maybe when Elizabeth came along as extra baggage WAS the ultimate! Especially when I found her in our bed! But this does NOT excuse you! You are a grown man with a wife and children who need you! Have you ever considered what would happen to them if anything happened to you?"
Rhys was trying to keep up with this stream of consciousness.
"But..?"
"DON'T YOU 'BUT' ME!...."

Rose was talking a mile a minute. Rhys sat there with his mouth open. He was having a hard time keeping his head clear and understanding Rosamond's English dialect. Rose got right in his face. "To do this to me and the children! After what happened in the Caribbean--and only a few days ago!--I thought you would have more sense! Why can't we have a normal life? Answer me that!" Rhys opened his mouth to answer but he didn't get the chance. Rose picked up the pace again. "And another thing.." Rhys stood there in wonder. If she wanted an answer, why didn't she wait for one? "...you have responsibilities. To me and the children! The house! Your fitness center! Yes, and even to that louse of a brother of yours! Have you any idea how fast he would be all over me if anything happened to you?" Rhys started to say, "No, I don't..." But Rose picked it up again. "About as fast as a June bug lights on a duck, that's how fast! And Billy Bob! Have you ever considered how that ex-husband of mine would move in and drag me to that prison out in Beacon Falls?" Rhys started to say, "Beacon Falls? Is that in...?" Rose never even heard him. "And your committment to Marty and the show! We didn't get that Hottest Couple Award for nothing!" Rhys sat down and stared at Rose in awe. Rose still was going strong. MEANWHILE.... John sat down and turned on the news. He checked his watch. Will came into the living room. "Hi, Daddy! You should have seen Poppy William today! Wow! Was he awesome! He brought his sword.."
"Will! You mean to tell me that Poppy William was able to get the sword past security in that school? The teacher OK'd it?"
Will said proudly, "Of course! It's...well, it's POPPY WILLIAM! He can do anything!"
Will climbed on John's lap. "Like you!" he said.
At that moment, John really felt like Will's father, like Henry never existed. He rumpled Will's hair. "Son, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!" He put his arms around Will's shoulders and drew him close to him.
Will rumpled John's hair back. "Even nicer than what Mommy says to you?" John laughed, "It's a different kind of nice! Where IS your mother, anyway?"
Will shrugged. "Spending your money, I guess!"
John stared at Will in wonderment. "Where do you get your wisdom, Will?" Will said, "From my aunties and Grandma Celeste. They sometimes think I don't hear stuff. But I do."
John reached over for his cellphone. "Let's see if she flipped it on yet. I need her to pick up my drycleaning on her way in."
The cell phone rang and rang...as it should. Because it was sitting on the table on a house on Winding Willow. Four houses away, to be exact.

John stood up. "Will, you want some popcorn?"
Will said enthusiastically. "Yeah! With extra butter!"
John went into the kitchen and started the microwave. He laughed to himself and shook his head. That Will! He will know all about women by the time he is ten! Hope he doesn't get a distorted view of the relationships of men and women.
John poured the popcorn in a bowl and headed back towards the TV room. He passed the computer in the library and glanced in. Still on? William will pitch a fit!
He walked over and saw it was loaded up on the Story. As he reached for the button to turn it off, something caught his eye.

"..to do this to me! After what happened in the Caribbean!..."
John sat down. WHAT is going on? He sat down and started to scroll. Will came to the door. "Daddy, I heard the microwave buzz off. Do you have....oh! There it is!"
John absentmindedly handed Will the bowl. He stood there looking at the computer screeen with John. John's mouthed the words silently. Will said, "Mommy's gone again, isn't she?"
John turned to Will and said, "How do you know that?"
Will stuffed some popcorn in his mouth and said. "Because she *mfphdl...."
John tried to stay calm. "Don't talk with your mouth full, Will. What did Mommy say?"
Will looked thoughtful. "You won't get mad at me if I tell you?"
John shook his head and put his hands on Will's shoulder. Will said, "Mommy said, 'Damn you, John!' " and got her coat and went to Aunt Bethie's house."

BACK IN TORTUGA...

Poor Rhys was suffering a tongue-lashing at the hands--or mouth--of a lovely lady who could be a dead ringer for Gisele. It looked like she was winding down. Finally!
"and you pull one more--ONE MORE!--time travel without me, I am walking out the door! Your plans of a happy home life and lots of babies will have flown out the door!"
Rhys raised his hand to stop her. But to no avail.>br? "...no, John, I don't want to hear any of your lame excuses and half-truths. I don't care if he IS your father! What is past stays in the past! What counts now is us. US, John. No one else. We are building a life together! I swear sometimes you make me so crazy..."

Rhys's ears perked up. She called me John? She thinks I am someone named JOHN? And she is looking for her husband who is a time-traveler? This isn't Gisele! This very lovely woman who can give a man twenty lashes with one blow of her tongue...
He looked closely at her. Even though she was still going on and on, she never noticed. Could this be my son John's wife? This would be my daughter-in-law? No wonder John was in a hurry to get back into the 21st century and back to his wife. John did alright for himself!
Rhys tried to explain, "But you have it all wrong.."
Rose said, "No, John, I have it all RIGHT! Come on! We're going home right now!"
She grabbed Rhys by the ear and dragged him out behind the Port Royal. "OW! OW! OW! You don't understand...!"
Rose said, "I don't want to hear another word until we get home! NOW!" She grabbed Rhys's hand and said, "The house at 2124 Winding Willow. February 18, 2004....NOW!"
As the air glowed and swirled, Rose's last words in Tortuga hung in the air.
"By the way, John, save that pirate outfit for later tonight!...."

TWICE AROUND TORTUGA BOUND

John turned to Will and said, "Will, do me a favor. Stay with Poppy William. He's in the conservatory. Please tell him I had to return something to Aunt Bethia. I'll be back in a bit."
Will nodded. John grabbed his coat and walked down to Bethia's house. He knocked on the door. Roger opened it. "John! Come on in.."
John said, "I need to talk to Bethia like NOW!"
Bethia came into the room.. "John! What's wrong?"
John hurriedly said, "Bethia, where is your travel coin?"
Bethia looked puzzled. "In my jewelry box--why?"
"Are you sure?"
Bethia motioned John upstairs. She took the jewelry box and flipped open the secret compartment. "See? Here it is!"
Nothing came out. Bethia turned it upside down. She shook it. "Must be stuck."
John grabbed it from her and reached into the secret compartment. Nothing. He turned to Bethia. "It's gone."
Bethia said, "Are you sure?" She started to look around the floor and under the bed.
John sighed heavily. "No sense looking, Bethie. I know where it is."
Bethia's head popped up from under the bed. Roger helped her up. "So where is it?"
John rubbed his hands over his face and said worriedly, "I am 99.99% sure Rosamond Gwinnett is now in possession of your coin. She borrowed it to go to Tortuga."
Roger and Bethia looked astonished and said at the same time, "TORTUGA??" John said, "She found out I went to Tortuga to find Rhys Morgan. And now she has gone to fetch ME. Since she had no time travel coin of her own, and with good reason, she had to borrow yours."
Bethia sat on the bed. 'OH NO! She'll get killed!"
Roger said worriedly, "That little empty headed girl! What now?"
John picked up his coat. "I am going to time travel to Tortuga and fetch her little..."
Bethia interrupted him. "Now don't be so harsh, John. She did it because she is scared to death for you."
John said grimly, "And when I get done reaming her out, she will be scared to death OF me! Of all the stupid idiotic things Rose has pulled, going into a pirate town ALONE has GOT to take the prize!"

They went downstairs to the kitchen. "I'll leave right from here, Bethia, if you don't mind. I have my time travel coin in my pocket. I am going to get Rose and when we get back, I am going to lay down the law. This is going to stop. We need a normal life. I found out who I am and now I have to assimilate it and deal with it. And I have to tell Daniel. After all, it is HIS life, too. Of course, he will probably think it's a kick. He was always buttiing heads with Father--the James Gwinnett one. So I'll be back as soon as I grab Rose. Of course, it will be like the lost and found in a Mexican border town,. asking about a diamond ring..."
He stood there in the middle of the Bidwell kitchen, took out his coin, and said, Beth? Roger? See you tonight..remember, we have dinner plans!" He closed his eyes and said, "Tortuga...October 12, 1610....NOW!"
The air once again swirled and glowed. Then John was gone.
Roger looked in awe at the air. "Bethie? Did you see that? The air was..RED!!!"
Bethia sighed. "That's because it was reflecting John's mood. Usually it is a serene blue and green. But red? Because John was really, really pissed off!.."
"Pissed off? Bethia! That phrase from YOU?"
Bethia shrugged. "That describes it perfectly. And I pity poor Rose when John DOES catch up to her! Think she WILL get that spanking he is always promising her!"


GOOD LITTLE GIRLS MAKE SOME MIGHTY WILD WOMEN!!

Rose and Rhys touched down near the gazebo.
"Brr! February in Chappaqua! Might as well be back in Northumberland!"
She grabbed Rhys' hand and ran to the door. Carefully she peeked in.
"Good! No one is here. I'm sorry I was so harsh with you in Tortuga, love. But you scare me to death when you time travel!"
She flung her arms around Rhys and drew him close to her. "These last few days have been so stressful. I AM sorry I stole Bethia's time-travel coin. I have to make up an excuse to get back over there and slip it into her jewelry box. Oh, well! I can always have another dress alteration. Come on, darling..let's go upstairs and get out of these clothes. I can't wait to put my jeans on. I guess I can kiss that pair I left in Tortuga goodbye. I left them in an alley. This pirate dude thought I was this woman Gisele..she must have been a streetwalker....and he had a big blue parrot on his shoulder." Rose shuddered visibly.
Rhys thought, a parrot? She must have run into Gibson. That parrot never leaves his shoulder.
Rose grabbed his hand and ran upstairs with him. Rhys didn't know what to do so he kept his mouth shut. I can't believe it! She actually thinks I am John!

Rose opened the bedroom door. She smiled wickedly at him. "Hmm..that pirate outfit DOES have possibilities, honey!" She looked down at the bodice and skirt she'd lifted off the clothesline. "This is a little too tight...what do you think?"
Rhys looked at it admiringly. "Yes, it is..but it looks fine!"
Rose looked hurt. "You really think it is too tight? Are you trying to say I am getting FAT?"
Rhys looked bewildered. "N-no. It looks just fine. Just the way I like my wenches."
Rose laughed. She unlaced it. "Whew! What a relief to get out of this!" She dropped her skirt. There she stood in her skimpy underwear. Rhys' eyes boggled. He looked away. For goodness sakes, this is my daughter in law!
Rhys quickly covered his eyes. Rose laughed. "John, you are SO funny! You've seen me in less than this! Remember the time....?"
Her voice trailed off as she went into the bathroom and grabbed her robe. A few minutes later she came out and sat on the bed. She raised one eyebrow at Rhys.
"Darling, are you going to stand there in that pirate outfit all day? I must say, Bethia did a good job of outfitting you. You blended right in. If I didn't know better, I would swear you belonged there."
Rhys stood there wordlessly wondering what to do. Rose said, "Oh, I DID pick up your drycleaning before I went time-traveling. Your shirts are in the closet and your sweaters are in the drawers. I folded laundry so you have a drawerful of clean jeans."
She picked up her nail file and started to do her nails.
"You are so quiet, you must be tired! Poor darling!" Rose walked over to him and unbuttoned his shirt. "I must say, that scar healed up nicely. I can't even tell it is there!"
Rhys stood there and didn't know whether to let her continue to unbutton his shirt or stop her. He found his voice and caught her hands. "I think I can manage alright, dear."
"Dear? When did you ever call me 'dear'? It sounds so old-fashioned, John!" she laughed. Rhys stood there and carefully took his shirt off.
Rose asked, "Shall I take a shower before you or you go first?" Then she smiled playfully again and asked, "Or shall we save on our water bill?" Rhys was shocked but tried to play it cool. "I guess I can go first."
He turned to look at the sweaters in the drawer. Nice fabric. What does this one say on the thing around the neck? Cashmere? Oh, feels good. Nice and soft.>br? Before he knew it, Rose was behind him and pulled his breeches down. Rhys quickly grabbed them and pulled them up. Rose said wonderingly, "John, I did the laundry. Where is your underwear?"
Rhys didn't know what to say so he said, "In Tortuga."
She put her arms around John and grabbed his butt. "This is one of the things I always liked about you, John! A nice butt! Like two peaches!" Rhys backed off. What kind of woman did my son marry, anyways? Must be pretty lively around here.
Rose said, "As long as you are trying to decide what to wear, I'll go first in the shower. Feel free to join me! After all, Julie is asleep. I just checked on her."
With that, she went into the bathroom and closed the door.

Rhys sat on the bed wondering what to do...and where is my son? Where is John?
He'd better come home to this one hot mama! Because for obvious reasons, I can't handle her! Women in this century must be really...wild!
The shower turned on. Whoa, what is that? Water running from somewhere...Rhys got up to explore the source. Kind of like a waterfall...inside the house?
He opened the door. From behind the translucent door, he saw a blurred outline of Rose. Rose said from behind the glass, "Are you joining me, lover?" she laughed.
Just then a baby cried. Rose said, "Oh, darling, would you see to Julie? I'll be out in a bit."
Rhys said, "I surely shall!"
He quickly closed the door and let out his breath. That was a close call! Now, to find out where this baby--Julie?---is. He followed the sounds of the crying through the bedroom towards the door. He opened the door and into a small room that was a nursery. There in the crib standing there crying was what Rhys assumed to be Julie.
The little toddler had blonde curls and big blue eyes that were shiny with tears. Rhys looked at the baby in awe. Julie cried and held out her arms. "Da-da! Da-da!"
Rhys walked over slowly to her. A baby! This must be John's little girl! Then this would be my...granddaughter! Rhys said softly, "Hey, little lassie! What be the problem?"
Julie burst out crying and tried to shimmy up the slats in her crib. To no avail. Rhys reached in carefully and picked her up. "Da-da! Da-da!" She reached up and patted Rhys' face. Rhys took her into the bedroom and sat on the bed with her. What a bonny lassie! He immediately was filled with regret for the time he missed with his twin sons. Sons he didn't even know he had until earlier that morning. And now here I am holding my granddaughter. Rhys was bursting with pride. He laid Julie on the bed. Julie..Julie...how wonderful! John and his wife named their daughter for Megaera. She said, "Da-da!" and reached out to touch his nose. Unexpectedly, Rhys felt his eyes fill with tears. He bounced her on his knee and softly sang,
We're beggars and blighters and ne' er-do-well cads
Drink up me hearties, yo-ho!
Aye! But we are loved by our mommies and dads
Drink up me hearties, yo-ho!
Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me!

Rosamond came out of the bathroom in her robe. She combed her wet hair and searched around for the hairdryer. Rhys sat on the bed holding Julie.
Rose said, "What's the matter, sweetheart?" To Rhys she said, "I swear, John, you are the only one that can make her stop crying." Rhys said in delighted surprise, "Really?"
Rose put the towel around his neck and drew his face to hers. She kissed him passionately and then laughed and pulled away. "NO! I'm not going to start this! We have to meet Beth and Roger for dinner."
"Beth and Roger?"
"Yes, Beth and Roger. I hope Bethia doesn't realize that coin is gone. Now--let me take the baby down to Celeste so we can get dressed. Aren't you going to take a shower?"
"A shower?"
"John, are you alright? Yes, a shower! Lord knows you need it! Although it is kind of attractive, the scent of the sea.."
She picked up Julia and gave her little kisses on her face. "Wave bye-bye to Daddy!"
Julie laughed and Rose took her down the stairs.
Rhys thought, Am I getting in over my head?

MEANWHILE IN TORTUGA......

John touched down in an alley behind the wharf. &*((*^**%$ Back here again! Oh, Rose, what have you done, honey? Where are you? Maybe Rhys has seen her...
John started down the alley. He saw a pirate standing there with a parrot on his shoulder. SQUAWK! SQUAWK! The pirate stood there in the doorway, looking up and down the alley. He paced back and forth. John looked at him and nodded. The pirate nodded back. John continued on, then he backtracked.
"Excuse me, matey, did you see a blonde woman about so-high? Wearing a pair of jeans---breeches--and a leather jacket?"
The pirate grinned. "Leather jacket? They make coats out of that?"
John shook his head. The pirate continued to walk back and forth. "I am looking for a beautiful woman.." John asked again.
The pirate grinned again. "Aye, ain't we all, mate?" John could see he definitely was NOT on the pirate dental plan.
John tried to explain. "She's a very pretty girl, long blonde hair, blue eyes, slim but a nice figure..."
The pirate's brow knitted in thought. "She a doxy, mate?"
John drew himself up. "Of course not!"
The pirate laughed, "Aye! That be good, mate! Cuz I be waitin' for Gisele. She promised. Hey! Mate! You be willin' to watch Crackers here for me...just for about 15 minutes?" He winked.
John wrinkled his nose. "Ugh! NO!"
The pirate continued to pace. "She tole me she be only 30 minutes. I be waiting better part o' the hour. Damn Gisele! She lied again!"
John walked a few steps and looked in the doorway. On the stoop bunched in a ball was a pair of jeans. Guess jeans. Size 5. He looked at a yellow ball rolled up. A sweater. Angora. Oh yeah, I know who this belongs to. I was with her when she bought this in Colorado.

John picked up the jeans and said in an undertone. "Guess jeans."
The pirate overheard and said, "Aye, that be me guess, too. Guess they belong to Gisele. Since I caught her with her breeches down."
John said, "WHAT??"
The pirate said, "Aye. She be standin' there sure as I be standin' here talkin' to ye. She dropped these 'ere breeches. Standin' in little bitty drawers. I never seen nothin' like it, not even in Singapore..."
John took the jeans and sweater, turned to go and said over his shoulder. "This never happened. But I tell you what, if you see Gisele coming back for her clothes, tell her that John is looking for her and he is going to make her walk the plank for this one."
The pirate frowned. "Gisele not your woman, matey. Don't have to tell her nothin.'"
John took a step forward and the pirate backed off. SQUAWK! SQUAWK! The parrot ruffled his feathers. John said, "Gisele will know what I mean. She's in big trouble."
And he walked briskly down the alley. The pirate continued to pace and muttered, "Damn Gisele. Maybe she SHOULD walk the plank!"


DRESS YOU UP IN MY LOVE

Rhys walked into the bathroom and looked around. This thing here shoots water out like a waterfall.. He turned it on was splashed in the face. He stood there sputtering. OK, so this is like a waterfall. He tried again.. YOW!! Hot water! He turned it off. He looked closely...HOT..COLD....you mean you can get hot water out of this thing? He turned it on..cold..hot..cold..hot...hot..cold...he put it in the middle. Just right!
Hm...he stepped in...
At that moment, Rosamond walked into the bathroom. She stood there in shock. "JOHN! What ARE you doing? TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF!"
Rhys had stood there in his clothes.
Rosamond exclaimed, "How much rum did you have to drink in Tortuga?"
Honestly!
You haven't pulled a crazy stunt like this since you took those muscle relaxers when Elizabeth was here!"
She pulled him out of the shower and pulled the sweater over his head. "Cashmere, too! Well, THAT one is ruined! And your jeans, too."
She attempted to de-pants him and Rhys yanked them back up. "I can manage, I can manage!"
Rose stood there and frowned. "Shape up, Gwinnett!" and walked out of the room.
Rhys carefully took the clothes off and turned the shower back on. He stood under it and let the water run over his body. NICE! He picked up a bottle of body wash. Body wash? He put it on the cloth and it foamed up. Beats the heck out of that brown soap we use.
After twenty minutes, Rose walked in. Rhys was standing in the shower. Rose flung the door back and said, "John, what is taking you so long?"
Rhys grabbed the washcloth to cover his bits and pieces. "DO YOU MIND??"
Rose stood there and exclaimed, "John, there is NOTHING I haven't seen before! Since when did you become such a prude?"
Rhys grabbed for a towel and wrapped it around himself. Rose ran her hands over his chest and said, "Mmmm....you still take my breath away!"
She ran her hands along his back. Rhys backed up into the sink.
"MOMMY?? I CAN'T FIND MY HOMEWORK!" a voice called from down the hall. "Damn!" Rose whispered. "Coming, Will!"
She turned to Rhys and whispered, "Hold that thought, lover!"
She walked out of the bathroom and Rhys collapsed against the sink.

Rhys took advantage of the fact that Rose was downstairs with what appeared to be her son. I should 'fess up...but I need to see my son John and maybe spend at least a little time with my grandkiddies. He hurried over to John's dresser drawers. I'd better put on what she calls..underwear? And I'd better put on two pairs! This woman...wow! She's really into my son, isn't she? I don't know if he's cursed or blessed!
He found some jockeys and hurried and slipped them on before she came back.
Then he found breeches...Calvin Kleins?...I don't think Calvin will mind if I wear his breeches. Wonder why he has his name written on his jeans and underwear? I mean, is this Calvin so dumb he wouldn't remember his name? And why does John have someone else's clothes?
He looked at the zipper...well, that's the last place I want something with metal teeth! A bloke could get hurt! I got to figure this out by myself. I don't want Rose to touch anything down there...she doesn't need any encouragement, that's for sure!
Ow! OW! OW! OK--I think I have it figured out now..what is wrong with buttons?
He reached into the sweater drawer and pulled out a nice black sweater..nice! Then he put his pirate boots on. He looked at himself in the mirror. Hair is a bit long.. wonder when John gets home from his..whatever he does..

Rose opened up the bedroom door. She looked Rhys up and down. He got a panicked look in his eyes. Rose sighed. "Bethia and Roger will be here in 20 minutes. What a shame!" she laughed.
Then she took off her robe and walked over to her dresser. Rhys caught a glimpse of her backside in the mirror and got red in the face. She quickly stepped into a pair of underwear. She pulled out a bra and slipped it on.
"John? Honey, would you hook this up for me? I just did my nails and don't want to chip them."
Rhys said, "Uh, I don't know.."
Rose said, "Please, darling...." and stood with her back to him. He took each corner and stretched them way out...averting his eyes and trying not to touch Rose's back.
He struggled for a few minutes. Rose said impatiently, "Oh, for Pete's sake, John! There isn't a combination lock on the back.....OW!!"
Rhys let it snap back. Rose rubbed her back. "Now that hurt! I owe you a wedgie for that one--an atomic wedgie! When you least expect it. By the time I get done, your waistband will be a sweatband for your forehead!" She looked through her dresses. "Bethia and I decided we are wearing dresses tonight...black one? No, just wore that..green one...no,....purple?...no...red..Yes! My red silk one..that's the one that always drove you wild, remember, John? The last time I wore that...." her voice muffled in her walk-in closet. She reappeared with her red shoes. "Ah! The strappy ones! You guys are definitely using valet parking tonight. I can't afford to get my feet wet with the snow and I refuse to wear boots! Roger is driving, it's their turn. That means we get to make out in the back seat!"
Rhys thought, make out? What is that? How do you do that? And if I do 'make out', will I like it?
Rose walked over to her dresser drawer and got out some contraption. She slipped it on around her hips and got some silky things out of a drawer and slipped them up her legs. She fastened them. Rhys couldn't stop from staring. What the heck do these 21st century women do? What is that? And why do I think I like it??

Rosamond took the dress and slid it over her head, letting it flow down her body. She adjusted it and then turned to Rhys. "John, sweetheart, I can't reach back there. Can you zip me up?"
Zip? Oh! Those metal thingies that go together. He walked cautiously over to her and tried to find the end of the zipper. It was buried in the placket. Rose said, "Oh, darn! It's buried itself. Fish it out for me, please, John."
Rhys closed his eyes and tried not to touch Rosamond's bum. Rose was exasperated. "For cryin' out loud, John, JUST GET IT!"
Finally he did..with much trepidation. He zipped it up Rosamond's back, beads of sweat on his forehead.
"There! That wasn't so hard, was it? If we had time, I'd give you a kiss for every little zipper tooth...and something special for the hook and eye!"
"MOMMY!! What did you do with my science project??" a voice shouted from downstairs. Rose rolled her eyes. "Look in the pantry! Unless Uncle Henry was over here and ate it!"
From downstairs was heard, "Aarrgghh! Not Uncle Henry! It will make him sick! That's papier mache!"
Rose laughed to Rhys. "The man DOES love flour-based products! I'd better make sure it is still there. Be right back, love!"
She went down the stairs. Rhys sat there and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Within five minutes, Rose was back. "Ah! Henry was downstairs and had just taken the science project out of the pantry. He was poised with knife in hand. We had to explain to him that it was NOT a cake but a replica of the solar system!"
She got out her diamond tennis bracelet and tried to fasten it. "John? Please? I hate to bother you. I need this clasped." Rhys walked over and fastened it. "Remember when you gave this to me, darling?"
Rhys didn't know what to say so he just nodded. Rosamond brushed out her hair and fastened her earrings. She then sprayed perfume on. Rhys sniffed appreciatively.
She's a really beautiful woman..and a little voice inside his head whispered, 'and she's your son's wife...' He bounded back to earth.
Voices were heard downstairs. Rose said, "Beth and Roger are here." She leaned over the bannister and called out, "Be right down!"
Then she turned to Rhys and said, "Oh, John! You put on the wrong boots! Your black ones are in the closet. I just picked them up from shoe repair."
She got out her silver fox fur coat and said, "I'll meet you downstairs. The boots are in that bag there."
Rhys sat down on the bed, totally exhausted. How can I keep this up until John comes home? Son, where the heck are you?

_____________

John walked from tavern to tavern. He was trying to stem the rising panic that coursed through his veins. Rosamond, dammit! I am going to ground you for life! He put Rose's jeans and sweater under his arm. If her clothes are here..why isn't she in them?
Finally he went to the little place where Monique lived. He knocked on the door. The slurred voice said, "GO AWAY!"
John knocked harder. Finally Monique came to the door. She flung it open, her mouth in a round 'o'. "Rhys! Rhys darling! You have come back to me, cher!"
She threw her arms around him. John gently disentangled himself from her. "I'm sorry, Miss Monique. I am, uh,..Evan. Evan Morgan. Remember?"
Monique's lip curled. "Oh yes. After you left with Rhys, I never saw him again. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM?"
John looked at her with surprise. "I left him at the Port Royal Tavern. He never came home?"
Monique bit her lip. "Mais non!"
John said, "Maybe he is still there."
Together they walked to the tavern. The bar keep was wiping down the tables.
"Ah! Gaston! Have you seen Monsieur Rhys here?"
Gaston shrugged his shoulders. "He was here with Gisele. She hauled him out by his ear. Furious she was."
John asked, "What was Mademoiselle Gisele wearing?"
Gaston shrugged again. "Usual stuff. Bodice. Skirt."
John looked defeated. "Thank you." To Monique he said, "I guess we both lost out. I am looking for a pretty woman about so-high." He held up her clothes. "Last I knew she was wearing this."
Monique looked at the clothes. "Then you best keep looking. Because I am still looking for Rhys. And he is with Gisele."
John said to Monique. "Can I buy you a tankard of ale, Miss Monique?"
Monique fought the urge to go. She licked her lips. Her willpower caved in. "Oui. Just one."
John signaled for two tankards. He asked Monique, "What is your relationship with my...brother?"
Monique took a deep drink and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "What is it to you, Monsieur?"
John stared into her eyes until she looked away. She said quietly, "He came here a few months ago, sick with fever. He passed out in a tavern and I took him back to my place. I nursed him back to health. The local doctor said he may not make it. He talked out of his head. Kept calling for someone named 'Meg'. Cried as if his heart would break. Delirous. Finally the fever broke and he was weak. I fed him and kept him clean. He never left."
John grabbed her wrist gently. "I am grateful. I would like to repay you for your kindness...."
Monique jumped up."Mais NON!..."
John looked at her face. "You are in love. In love with Rhys." Monique sat down and nodded miserably. "Mais oui. But he doesn't love me. He loves another..this Megaera."
John asked quietly, "You and Rhys. You are lovers?" Monique answered, "What does it matter. We are two broken and battered people who have found solace...but he has found solace with Gisele. It is not the first time. But may be the last. Because when I find Gisele...I will kill her!"
And with that, Monique stood up and left the tavern.

___________________

Rhys and Rosamond were seated in the back seat of Roger's Lexus. Roger asked, "Where do you want to go for dinner, John? To that little place we discussed? What was the name of it again?"
Rhys sat in the back seat trying not to panic. What place? What place? He laughed weakly, "You know, Roger, it escaped my mind. Do you know, Rose?"
Rosamond snuggled up closer to Rhys. "Wasn't it the Inn on the River?"
Roger said, "Oh yes. That's the one!"
Rhys settled back, relieved. Bethia said, "Why so quiet, John? You must be really tired. All that time travel."
Rhys just said quietly, "Yes. I am."
Rose kissed his ear and stroked his neck. She whispered, "Not TOO tired, I hope!"
Rhys wanted to dissolve in the car seat. I think maybe I HAVE taken this too far...but how do I tell her I am not her husband? And I AM starving...I'll tell her after dinner when we get back home. But then she will be upset, maybe wondering where John is. Maybe he is still at that--what was it?--fitness center. And I would like to meet Daniel. He sounds like my brother Caerwyn. The one who gave my parents fits. Must be some wild Viking blood there...
They pulled into the restaurant. Valet parking. Rhys took a deep breath. His stomach growled. Oh well, let the games begin. I should be able to sweet-talk my way through this...after all, I AM Welsh!

The valet took the car. Rhys fought off the urge to say, Hey, man! They just nicked your car! But Roger didn't seem upset. So I guess it is allright.
Rose took his arm. Well, this isn't too bad...she IS very attractive..and so is that Bethia...look! every man's head turned when we walked in...
They were seated by a man in a funny suit..Rhys watched Roger pull the chair out for Bethia and he did the same for Rose. The man handed them a paper book.
"Enjoy your dinners, please...and Miss de Clifford and Mr. Gwinnett..my wife adores your show!"
Rose flashed a smile and said, "Thank you!"
Show? What show?
A woman came up and gushed, "Oh, Mr. Gwinnett I could just swoon you are the sexiest most handsome man and now that I see you in person I think you are more than that and could I have your autograph please? You too, Miss de Clifford."
Rose tried to hide a smile as the woman shoved her menu in front of Rhys. He didn't quite know what to do but he saw Rose take the menu and say, "What is your name, please?"
The woman answered, "Florence Griffith from Pig's Knuckle, Arkansas."
Rose wrote, 'To Florence, one of the best! Sincerely, Rosamond de Clifford-Gwinnett.'
Rhys took it and wrote, 'Florence, you are a beautiful woman'--so she was a little chunky--'R-' and then he realized he wasn't 'Rhys' he was John. So he wrote, 'Remember me always. John Mo' n-no, not Morgan. He's Gwinnett. So he wrote over the 'MO' and made a 'GW'. And signed the name with a flourish.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" Florence gushed. Rose laughed. Florence extended her cheek to Rhys. He stood up and gave it a kiss.
Florence swooned. "I'll never wash this cheek again!" and went back to her table.
Roger and Bethia were laughing. Rose said,"Fortunately New Yorkers are a little more circumspect! That should be the end of the autograph session."
Rhys gave out a hugh sigh.
Roger said, "John? What looks good to you?"
Rhys scanned the menu, not seeing 'stew' or 'lentils' or 'porridge' on it. The liquor...no ale? No rum? What the heck is a Singapore Sling? He turned to Rose. "What looks good to you?"
Rose reached under the table and squeezed his knee. "Don't ask!" she said under her breath. Rhys leg jumped and Rose laughed softly to herself. To Bethia and Roger she said, "Roger? What do you like?"
Roger said, "I think the Coq au Vin is supposed to be terrific. I'll have that. Bethia?"
Bethia said, "Sea bass. With lemon."
Rose said, "John? What do you like?" and then said in an undertone, "I mean on the menu..!"
Rhys began to sweat again. "The sea bass sounds good."
Rose took the coq au vin along with Roger. The orders were placed and dinner--along with a bottle of Chardonnay--was about to commence!

MEANWHILE:

It was twilight. Jeez, Ro', where the *(^^%^ ARE you? John was getting madder and more upset by the minute. He walked down to the alley. Gibson was still there.
"Aye, matey!" Gibson saluted. "Ye see me Gisele yet?"
John said, "No, and I think maybe you and your parrot should go home. I honestly don't think Gisele is coming. Mayhaps she got delayed."
Gibson turned to Crackers and said, " 'ear that, Crackers? What say ye?"
SQUAWK! SQUAWK!
Gibson turned a grin to John and said, "Crackers says we wait!"
John shook his head and continued to walk the streets of Tortuga.

AND BACK IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY...

The waiter opened the Chardonnay and poured it into the wine glasses. The four of them put their glasses together and clinked them. "Here's to getting out of the Caribbean alive!" Rhys said nothing. No one said anything about the recent time travels. Beth and Roger both agreed it was better to let sleeping dogs lie. They had seen John and Rose get in their arguments before and were not anxious for another World War Three.
Dinner came and everyone commented on the food. Rhys watched the others carefully and imitated them on which fork to use, which glass to drink from. Roger ordered cognac for dessert.
Beth asked, "How is the house coming along?"
Rose replied, "Just fine. We hope to be in there in another month. It has taken a while but I want it to be just right."
Just then Rhys' leg jumped and hit the table. The glasses shook. Roger caught the bottle just in time before it toppled.
"Whoa!" Roger said. "What's the matter, John? Got the jimmy-legs?"
Rose sat there with a face like an innocent angel. For she had grabbed Rhys' leg with her hand under the table and squeezed his thigh.
Rhys' face got crimson. Bethia looked at him.
"Are you all right, John?" she asked concerned. "Do you have a fever?"
Rhys shook his head wordlessly. He began that sweating again. How can I sweat when it is winter outside?
Maybe because Rose had taken her shoe off and was rubbing her foot up and down his calf. That's why.

MEANWHILE----

John pulled his watch out of his pocket. It was almost midnight. I've got to keep looking for Rose. If I don't find her around here by dawn, I'll head home. She HAS to be there in time to get Will up for school. And we start back at Planet in two days.
He saw Gibson standing in the doorway and John turned around and headed the other way.

BACK IN CHAPPAQUA---

Rose and Rhys walked into the house.
"Well! Did you have a good time?" William asked from the living room. Rose said, "Yes. We went to that new restaurant. Highly recommended."
She grabbed Rhys' hand and scampered towards the stairs. William hmmphed behind his paper. "Those two! I'll hate to see them go but I think they need their own place! With alot of cold running water!"
Celeste looked up from her mending. "Oh, William, you old poop! Weren't you ever young and in love?"
From behind the paper, he said, "Not THAT young!"

Rose opened the door to the bedroom. Rhys looked at the bed. Whoa! I didn't think THIS far in advance!
Rose blew him a kiss. "I'll be right back, love." She disappeared into the bathroom.
Rhys looked bewildered. What do I do? AND WHERE THE HECK IS MY SON?

Rose came out of the bedroom wearing a beautiful nightgown. "John? Why are you just sitting there?"
Rhys sat on a chair in the bedroom. He sat very straight. Rose laughed. "Last time I saw you sitting in that chair, you were really ticked off! That was the night you were so mad at me because of my shopping spree..and I had too much Tequila and Bud and you had too much brandy....and the end result is sleeping in the next room!"
She turned the covers down. "Aren't you coming to bed, my love?"
Rhys jumped up. "Y-yes! I just need to--you know--wash up..."
He just about ran to the bathroom in his haste to get out of there. He closed the door and braced himself against the sink. Got to think of a reason...think, Rhys! THINK!
From the other side of the door, Rose said, "I've been thinking of another baby, John..."
CRASH!!

"John? Are you alright? What broke?"
"N-Nothing...just this glass tankard..GLASS! Glass! That's what broke!" his muffled reply came from the bathroom.
Rhys looked in the mirror. Hell's bells! What do I do NOW???

Rhys picked up the glass and disposed of it in the wastebasket. He grabbed the bathrobe that was John's and tightened the belt. With great anxiety, he walked out of the bathroom and flipped the light switch off. The moon shone through the French doors. Rhys slipped into the bed and scooted over as far to the edge as he could.
Rose propped herself up on one elbow. Her fingers trailed down his chest.
"Like I was saying, John, we will be out of this house pretty soon and into our own. We could be parents again by the end of the year. I know I said I didn't want a baby for a while but the fact that we thought I might be pregnant last month and how disappointed we both were when I wasn't..at least way down deep...and the fact that we almost lost each other on the pirate ship..well, I think the time may be right. There is no way that Daniel can lay claim to this baby..."
Daniel? Rhys thought. What does my other son Daniel have to do with this? "....and why are you still wearing your robe to bed?"
Rhys pulled the covers up to his chin. "Cold. I'm cold."
Rose whispered, "We'll have to do something about that, won't we?" She snuggled up next to him and entwined her hand with his. "If it is a girl, we name her Megaera after your mother. If it is a boy, we name him John. Unless you want to honor your father."
"James?"
"No. The other one. Rhys. Rhys Morgan Gwinnett. What do you think of that?"
Rhys was flattered and proud beyond words. "I-I think I'd like that."
Rose laughed. "A little pirate. And he will be the most fearsome pirate in pre-K!"
Rhys smiled in the dark. He said out loud. " A little one named Rhys. Yes! I would like that."
Rose moved over and kissed Rhys on the lips. She said huskily, "A little practice never hurt any-----AAAHHH!!"
Rhys jumped out of bed. In doing so, he accidently threw Rose out of bed. He rushed to the bathroom and locked the door. Rose picked herself off the floor, hoisting the shoulder strap of her nightgown up. She yelled, "JUST WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT FOR?"
Rhys stayed in the bathroom and made puking noises. He flushed the toilet at interims between the RALPHING.
Rose went to the bathroom door and jiggled the handle. "John? JOHN! Are you all right?"
Rhys continued to ralph and flush, ralph and flush. Not really, but he was very convincing.
Rose sighed and said, "I TOLD you not to get the sea bass! I'll get you some gingerale." And to herself, she said, &*(&^&***&!!!

Rose grabbed her robe and tiptoed downstairs. Celeste was in the kitchen setting the coffeemaker for the next day. "Hungry, Rose?"
"No, John is 'ralphing' in the bathroom. It came on him suddenly so it must have been the sea bass. Fish can be so iffy sometimes." She opened a can of gingerale and headed upstairs. Celeste had a strange feeling come over here. Like a disturbance in the energy field in the household. Well, it can't be those two! I saw them come in and all is well with them.

Rose went into the bedroom. Rhys was already in bed, eyes closed. Rose sat next to him. "John? Here--drink this. You don't want to dehydrate yourself."
Rhys opened his eyes. Rose sat close to him, hair tousled and in that beautiful nightgown. Rhys looked appraisingly at the woman who was his daughter in law. She's not only beautiful, but she obviously loves my son. He was suddenly filled with affection for her...my daughter in law! Oh, Meggie! I wish you were here!
Rose looked at him questioningly. "Anything wrong, John?" She looked down at her nightgown, laughed and hoisted the straps up. She got into bed.
"Looks like all bets are off tonight. But you owe me, John Gwinnett!" Rhys gave her a genuine smile. "And I am sure he will deliver, sweetheart!"
Rose laughed, kissed him goodnight, and turned the light off.

Rose immediately fell asleep. Rhys lay there, as far away from Rose as he could. This is really weird, he thought. I know I should have told her..but I didn't want to embarrass her. Things just got out of hand. And now here she is revealing her innermost thoughts..and a bit of bosom!....to her FATHER IN LAW... maybe somehow I can get beamed back into Tortuga without her ever knowing.
It would freak her out to know she was innocently seducing her father in law. Oh, well, I'll worry about that tomorrow. Hopefully John will be back by then and I can take him aside and tip him off and he can act like it really WAS him and then she won't be the wiser and get embarrassed.
Rhys got up and tiptoed into Julie's nursery. Julie was sound asleep in her crib, a tousle of curls and blankets. He reached over and touched her hair, smoothing her curls away from her face. Oh, Meggie..a girl. I had no idea you had given me two sons. I think I am beginning to see why you left me and got married.
Julie made little baby sounds and Rhys straightened the blanket over her. He saw a light under the door in the room across the hall. He opened the door.
Under a blanket and with a light underneath in a little pyramid.. Rhys came closer and pulled the blanket down. A shocked little boy sat there. With a flashlight. And a comic book. "Daddy!" The look of surpise was evident on Will's face.
"Hadn't you better get some sleep, young man?"
Will put the comic book down and said, "I just had to see how Superman got away from the Kryptonite. Please don't tell Mama. She expects me to get to bed at a decent time. But her idea of decent and mine are two different things."
Rhys sat down next to Will. So this is my grandson..A very bright lad.
"Shouldn't YOU be in bed, Daddy?" Will chided.
Rhys laid a hand on his shoulder and said, "Yes, son. You are right."
Will reached up and kissed Rhys goodnight. "Goodnight, Daddy. I love you."
Rhys' eyes misted. He barely got the words "I love you, too." out without choking. He pulled the covers up over Will and walked out the door.
Rhys stood outside the door trying to stem the rise of emotions that he felt. Oh, the things I missed out on! My Megaera...watching our children grow up... Oh, Meggie! What a cruel trick fate has played on us!
He went down to the room Rose and John shared. He looked at the lovely young woman and was overwhelmed with a warm feeling for her. She will take care of my son. She loves him.
He carefully got into bed and fell asleep himself.

ONCE AGAIN IN TORTUGA.....

John sat down from looking half the night in the alleys and wharfs of Tortuga. Damn! Where is she? Did I miss her? He looked at the sky. Starting to get light. I'll bet I DID miss her.
Funny I never ran into Rhys or this Giselle. I must have seen Mr. Crackers at least a dozen times! And his pirate, too!
Guess Rhys--Father--and I kept missing each other.
John looked again at the sky. Daylight was beginning to break. I'd better get back to the 21st century.
He stood behind the alley and took out his time coin. He said, "2124 Winding Willow. February 19, 2004--NOW!"
The air began to glow and swirl. And John was gone.

Gibson and Mr. Crackers stood there. SQUAWK! SQUAWK! Gibson rubbed his eyes. "Did ye see that, Crackers? I think we be in the drink a little too long! And now, we be lookin' for Gisele...exceptin' she ain't got de clothes! Wonder what we find..?"
SQUAWK! SQUAWK! Crackers flapped his wings.
"Aw, Crackers! Ye be a right fine companion....with or without Gisele..!"


UNTANGLING THE WEB..

Rosamond leaned over and playfully wrapped her fingers around Rhys' hair. "John, you really need to get a haircut. I'm going over to Bethia's to return the coin under the pretense of having her hem a dress. We're going to have coffee together and maybe go shopping later on. Be a good boy and take care of Julie if she cries. I'll be back in about an hour."
"Mm...hmmmmm........" Rhys mumbled in his twilight sleep.
She kissed Rhys on the neck and slid out of bed. Within fifteen minutes she was showered and out the door.

John materialized by the gazebo. If this keeps up, I will have to keep a coat out here. Damn! Winters in New York! He walked into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around himself. At that moment Celeste came into the kitchen. "Ah! I see Rosamond got the coffee going!" she said as she poured herself a cup.
John said, "Rose is up already?"
Celeste said, "Oh, maybe you were still asleep. She said she was going to Bethia's house. She's be back in an hour. Those two must have their heads together about something. Hope it's not another disastrous party!" Celeste laughed.
"Then she's home." John said matter-of-factly.
Celeste was puzzled. "No, I said she's NOT home. She's at Bethia's."
John asked, "She didn't wonder where I was?"
Celeste was confused. "No, she didn't....here! I think you could use some coffee!"
She poured John a cup. John sat there trying to clear his head. Oh, well..she's home and that's the main thing.

John sat there with his hands wrapped around the coffee cup trying to warm them.
Celeste said, "You look tired, John. Up all night?"
John could only nod. Celeste said, "Ah! Sea bass with do that to you."
"Sea bass?"
"Feeling better now?"
John said, "Yes, now that I have had some coffee."
"You should stick to gingerale. Let your stomach settle down."
John was too tired to even begin to understand what Celeste was talking about.

Meanwhile, Rhys got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. This time he remembered to take his robe off before he showered. He looked in the medicine cabinet and figured out what a razor was. He read the instructions on the shampoo bottle. I think I have all this stuff figured out, he thought.
After drying off, he headed to the dresser drawer and pulled out a black sweater and jeans. He heard crying from the other room and went in.
Julie was in her crib crying. Rhys said, "Hey, little angel! You're awake..!" He picked her up and closed the door to Julie's nursery.

John sat there extremely tired and quiet. Why didn't Rose wonder where I was last night? Unless we crossed time-travel zones..I'm too tired to try to analyze this.
"Celeste? I think I am heading up to bed. I'm going to catch a few hours of sleep. When Rose comes home, tell her I'm upstairs, please."
Celeste was reading the food section. "Will do, John. You get some sleep, dear."
John could only nod and drag himself upstairs. He went straight to bed, stopping just long enough to take his shoes off. He kicked a pair of boots out of his way. I don't remember having a pair like that..and then he fell face first into bed. He briefly wondered why Rose was in such a hurry...she ALWAYS made the bed. And the sweet oblivion of sleep overcame him as he drew the blankets over his head.

Rhys held Julie. She played with his nose and squealed, "Da-da! Da-da!" Rhys kissed her little face and took her downstairs. Celeste looked up. "I thought you were going to take a nap."
Rhys looked at her puzzled. "No. I'm alright. I just brought the little one down. What do I do, Celeste?"
Celeste looked at him funny. "Do? What you always do when Rose isn't here. Give her breakfast!"
Celeste got up and went to the pantry. She put a jar of strained apricots in front of him. Then she gave Julie a zweiback biscuit. And set a bottle of juice in front of him.
Rhys looked confused at it. Celeste said, "You must have low blood sugar, John. Here." She opened the jar and handed him the spoon. Pretty soon Rhys figured out how to feed Julie.

"Bethia, I really appreciate you hemming this dress, too. For some reason, the two I picked out were way too long."
Bethia sighed, "I will be so glad to get back in normal clothes again. I have about 3 months left..which translates to about 13 weeks. Just think, Rose! Roger and I will be parents twice over!"
Rose gave her a hug. "There's nothing like it, Beth! John and I are talking about another one. I'll bet when you have your two, I'll be dying to have another one!"
"What about Planet?"
Rose shrugged. "It can wait. This cruise made me realize that John and the children are the most important things in the world to me."
Bethia hugged her back. "You have come a long way from that spoiled self-centered girl I first met!"
Rose beamed. "It sounds corny but it's John's love that changed me. He is my total soul-mate."
Roger called from downstairs, "Bethia? Have you seen my briefcase?"
Bethia said, "Yes. I'll be right down. Be back in a jiffy, Rose."
When she got downstairs, Roger laughed and said, "Let's give her five minutes to put the coin back. And then it goes to my safe at the office."
Rosamond hurried over to Beth's jewelry box and quickly slid the secret compartment open and shoved the coin inside, all the while she was handling it being very careful to keep her mind neutral. I sure don't want to end up in a whole 'nuther place!

*RING*
John's cellphone rang. "Uhhhh!" he groaned. He had forgotten to shut it off.
He mumbed, "Hello?"
Daniel's voice came over the phone. "John, did you forget to sign these tax forms? They have been sitting here on your desk for a week now. The accountant called and he's all over us, wanting these papers in the mail today!"
John yawned, "Can't you sign it, Daniel?"
"I already did, but it needs the president of the corporation's signature. That is you, bro! And you just stay there...because I will be over within the hour, pen in hand."
"But Daniel, I've been up..."
*Click*
"...all night. AW &(^&^%^!!!" John threw his cellphone against the wall and put his pillow over his head, trying to catch whatever sleep he could before Daniel came over.

Bethia and Rose called Eleanor and the three of them decided they wanted to do something really nice for Celeste in gratitude for all the bailing out she had done for all of them. So the three of them made plans to go shopping tomorrow.
"I left John in bed, I have to get him up. If he's not up already. Poor darling was sick all night from the sea bass. I must say, Bethia, you look rather well for getting sick, too."
"Sick? I wasn't sick."
"Really? Maybe John has the flu. He WAS still in bed when I left."
Bethia asked, "Maybe he was coming down with something. He was awfully quiet. Both Roger and I noticed it. John didn't seem to be his effervescent self."
Rosamond frowned. "I know. He certainly wasn't the John I know. He seemed a little uptight.. I mean usually, well,...he just wasn't himself." She sighed. "I hope this business with finding out Rhys Morgan is his father isn't going to psycho---psycho---"
"Psychologically?"
"--that's the word! Psychologically screw him up."
Bethia shook her head. "No, Rose. John is one of the most well-grounded people I know. He'll be OK."
Rose waved goodbye and headed back to the Big House.

She walked into the kitchen. Rhys was bouncing Julie on his knee. "She's such a happy baby, my dear!"
Rose hung her coat up in the mudroom. " 'Dear'. There you go again being so old-fashioned, John! Did you used to call Elizabeth the witch that?"
"Elizabeth?"
"Yes, Elizabeth! That poor excuse for a first wife. Honestly, John, what you ever saw in her.."
"Well, what would you prefer I call you, Rose?"
Rose put her arms around his neck. "Oh, I don't know..baby, doll-face, honey...NOT Sugah, though. I had enough of that!"
Rose looked out the window. "Here comes your brother. What does HE want?"
Rhys jumped up. "My brother? Who, Daniel?"
Rose felt his forehead. "John, you are scaring me! Yes, Daniel your brother! Who else did you expect? You only have the one...we don't count Charles for obvious reasons."
Daniel knocked on the door. Rose opened it. "Daniel."
Daniel stomped the snow off his feet. "Hello to you, too. Is that any way to greet your loving brother-in-law?" Rose said, "Considering....yes! It's better than what you deserve."
Daniel laughed, "That's not how you were last year, lover!"
Rhys looked up quickly. What is going on? Rose? And Daniel? He remembered what Rose said about Daniel laying claim to the baby. Rhys was shocked. It was like looking at John for the first time in Tortuga. Rhys felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. Two boys--men! My sons! With my face stamped on them and my blood coursing through their veins!
Daniel took his coat off and helped himself to a cup of coffee. He sat down.
"These papers need to be signed here....and here... and here."
Rhys looked at him. "What are you talking about? Sign WHAT papers?"
Daniel sat back and looked at him in disbelief. "You can't sit there and tell me you don't remember me calling you on the phone and telling you these have to be in the mail today? Shape up, brother!"
"Oh. Those papers."
Daniel said, "Yes, John. THOSE PAPERS! Sheesh!"

John woke up groggily. I could use another 24 hours of sleep, he thought. He got up and looked out the window. I see Daniel's car is in the drive way..better get this over with so I can come back upstairs and get some more sleep. Why this couldn't have waited until tomorrow....

John looked in his drawer, pulling out a sweater. Where is that cashmere sweater, the one Rose got me last year? He looked all through the dresser drawer. Maybe at the cleaners. He pulled a pair of jeans on and looked around for shoes. He pushed Rhys' boots out of his way, not even noticing them.
I'll sign the damn papers and then send Daniel on his way and get some sleep. Twenty-four hours in Tortuga with those miscreants...enough to wear anyone out.
He came down the stairs and went into the kitchen.
You know those moments on video tape where it freezes and then people keep rewinding them over and over...well, that aint' NOTHIN' like what is about to happen..

John stood there in the doorway. Daniel looked up from papers he was going over with Rhys. Rhys had Julie on his lap and Rosamond was setting coffee down in front of him.
Daniel looked at Rhys and then to John.
John looked at Rhys and Rose.
Rhys looked at John.
Rose looked at John and then Rhys and then Daniel. Then back to John.
John's mouth dropped open.
Rhys jumped up, still holding the baby.
Rose screamed.
And Daniel exclaimed, "Holy ^%$#! WE WERE TRIPLETS????"

John said to Rhys, "What are YOU doing here..in Chappaqua? No. OH NO! YOU CAME BACK? With my wife?"
Rhys started to explain, "It seems your wife found me and thought I was you and took me back. I couldn't get a chance to explain..."
Rose stood there, her hands clutching the back of the chair. She tried to find words. "Y-You mean..I..that's....that's....that wasn't....no...you mean....alll last night...."
John turned to Rose and said, "Rose? What are you trying to say?"
And all Daniel could say was, "I don't know what is going on, but HOT DAMN!!"

"SHUT UP, DANIEL! I have enough on my hands without your lame commentary on the situation!" John yelled.
Rose sat down, looking from Rhys to John, back to Rhys again.
Celeste came in the room, took one look at the situation, and took Julie from Rhys.
"I have an idea what is going on and I'll remove the baby from here and the four of you can decide what went on and why it did and what you are going to do about it."
She left with Julie. William came to the kitchen door but Celeste stopped him. "Don't go in there, the kitchen is a mess!"
William turned around and sighed, "Rose tried to cook bacon again, is that it?"
Celeste grabbed him by the elbow and steered him towards the living room. "No, more like she is in the soup. Let's say you and I take Julie to the mall for a bit. I'll buy you lunch. Come on, dear, it's better we get out of here."
And at that, William didn't question any further. He just shuddered.

Rhys sat at the table turning red. Rose was alternating between red and white, with fuscia winning out. John sat down, trying to decide where to begin to unravel this mess. And Daniel leaned back, grinning. "Well, is this 1/3 of a triplet situation? Finally! Someone who can be on my side for a change!"
John looked at Daniel and made a slicing motion across his throat. "Daniel, hand me those damn papers and be on your way."
Daniel exclaimed, "Hell no! Think I'm leaving now while there is havoc to be wreaked? Un, un.....I'm here for the duration."
Rose jumped up. "I can't believe it....It's not possible..." She got her coat and put it on. Tears were forming in her eyes and started to slip down her cheeks.
"I've got to get out of here..I can't stay..."
John got up and put his arms around her. "Rose, honey, please, don't leave..."
Rose pushed him away. "I have to get out of here...I am going to Bethia's. I need her. I NEED BETHIA!"
John said, "At least let me walk you to her house. I'll be right back, guys."
John got his jacket on while keeping a firm grip on Rosamond's arm. He held her hand tightly and they walked across the street to Bethia's house.
"Beth? Beth? I need to see you..pronto!" John said as he opened Beth's back door.
Bethia came downstairs. "MY GOD! Rose? You OK? OMIGOD! Something happen to one of the kids?"
Rose stood there catatonic. John hastily said, "No, they are fine. I think Rosamond should stay here a while. We have a...situation." Bethia helped Rose with her coat off. "Can't believe..how could I know....not again..bad enough with Daniel...." she repeated like a litany.
Bethia looked questioningly at John. John explained wearily, "Seems when Rose went to Tortuga, she brought back a little something with her." Beth said, "Not a cold?! OH NO! ROSE, you don't have an STD, do you?? Shall I get some penicillin from Roger?"
Rose came out of her self-induced semi-coma long enought to snap, "OF COURSE NOT, BETHIA!"
John sat Rose down and handed her a box of Kleenex. "No, she brought my father back. Rhys Morgan is now sitting in the kitchen in Winding Willow wearing my jeans and sweater."
Bethia's mouth formed that perfect 'O' that she was so good at. "But..but....when did you get back, John?"
"Early, early this morning. Rhys was here since last night."
Bethia was bewildered, "You mean that guy sitting there last night...?"
"Eating my sea bass? Wearing my clothes? Out on a date with my wife? That, Bethia, was Rhys Morgan. My father. Pirate extraordinaire."
Bethia said, "You mean when the wine bottle almost toppled..?"
Rose wailed, "BECAUSE I WAS PLAYING FOOTSIE WITH MY FATHER-IN-LAW!"
And with that, Rose bent over, her hands across her stomach. "Oh, if I had eaten, I would be barfing by now!"
John sighed, "She's much too upset. Please keep her here with you. I'll be back soon to pick her up. Just as soon as I get to the bottom of this and straighten it out."
With that, John tilted Rose's face up and kissed her. "Don't worry, love. It's not your fault. Beth? I'll be back soon. Take care of my girl."
And with that he headed back to the Big House to untangle this web.

John walked in the back door.
"...and we took all the gold and silver..." Rhys stopped in midsentence when John came in and sat down.
Daniel said, "Hey, John! Rhys here was telling me the most fascinating story about his ship. Why do you suppose Mother gave away our brother..."
"He's not our brother." John said in a monotone.
"...when she could very easily have given away YOU!...HA-HA!"
John slammed his fist down on the table and yelled, "Daniel, shut up! Shut up and listen!"
Daniel lounged back. "Oh, I am SO sorry that it was just too much for the current Mrs. Gwinnett to handle. Jeez, Rose is really getting soft! Big deal, so there are three of us instead of two.."
Rhys sat there not knowing what to do, with just cause because up until yesterday morniing he didn't know he had two sons, let alone fly into the 21st century.
John drew his hand back to cuff Daniel in the jaw but thought better of it. He tried to gain some self-control and said, "I'd better explain. I should have told you before but I had to get used to the idea myself. That is not our brother. That is our father."

Daniel had taken a sip of coffee and sprayed it all over the table. "Yeah! Sure! So if not a brother, then a long lost cousin..oh! Or a bastard son of the honorable James Gwinnett! Does Mother know? Who's his mother, that buxom maid downstairs? Didn't expect it out of Father..."
Rhys stood up. "If you don't shut up and listen to your brother, I will be the one to smack you."
Daniel looked from one to the other. "For a minute, he sounded just like Father.."
John said, "Daniel, James Gwinnett is not our father. At least not our biological father. You see, Mother..."
"MOTHER?? That paragon of virtue?"
John took a deep breath and filled Daniel in on the mis-begotten cruise and his time travel visit to Megaera.
"...so the simple truth is that even though Rhys is at the age we are now, he IS our father."
Daniel whispered, "John, are you sure?"
John nodded. "I saw the church records and we were conceived in December 1609."
Rhys sat there embarrassed.
Daniel looked from John to Rhys. "Honest Injun? Are you sure?"
John was exasperated. "For Pete's sake, Daniel! Just look at him and then look at us. We are the sons of a pirate. Now it all makes sense. We never visited our maternal grandfather. That was the reason."
Daniel sat back totally amazed. "Well, I'll be damned! NOW it makes sense! My longing for the sea..."
John snapped, "The recklessness, the total disregard for everything and everyone.."
Rhys and Daniel both said, "Hey!"
John said to Daniel, "I need to talk to Rhys. And I need to do it without an audience. So if you don't mind, Daniel..."
Daniel said, "HELL NO! I want to get to know 'Daddy' a lot better!" He folded his arms and put his feet up on the table.
John ignored Daniel. "Rhys...I need to know..why didn't you tell my wife she had the wrong person? That you were Rhys and not..me."
Rhys took a deep breath. "I tried to. She wouldn't let me get a word in edge-wise. When your wife is fired up, there's no stopping her, John."
"Rhys, when you got here, why didn't you tell her then? Rosamond is very upset."
Rhys looked at the two of them. "I just found out twenty-four hours ago that I was a father. I had twin sons with a woman I loved more than life itself. And I am also a grandfather. I---I wanted to get to know you better, John. You too, Daniel."
John shook his head. "But to keep up this charade. Rose is positively catatonic over this. What happened?"
Daniel leaned forward too. He said to John, "And you were upset when I.."
John kicked his feet off the table. "Shut up, Daniel."
Rhys said, "Nothing. Nothing happened. I went out to dinner with your friends and your wife. I would NEVER let anything happen! You have to believe me!"
John said, "Yes, I do. You are honorable."
Daniel stood up, picked up an apple from the table and laughed. "Your loss, matey!"

"Rose, drink some of this tea. Come on! Best thing for you," Bethia said. Rose sat there and shook her head no. She whispered, "What he must think of me, Bethia!" She dissolved into tears again.
Bethia handed her some kleenex. "Rose, it is an honest mistake on your part. You didn't know. He should have told you."
"Did I give him a chance, Beth? No, I didn't! I kept thinking he was John! What I said! WHAT I DID!! Ohhhhhhh......!"
Bethia grew alarmed. "What DID you do, girlfriend?"
Rose, between sobs, said, "I came on to him! I suggested we take a shower together! I burst in on him when he was in the shower! I tried to make out with him in the backseat of your car! I ran my hand up his thigh and played footsie with him under the table! OMIGOD! I GOT DRESSED IN FRONT OF HIM!! I had him hook up my bra! I revealed my innermost thoughts and feelings to him! I TOLD HIM I WANTED A BABY!!"
She burst out in tears again. Bethia sighed and handed her another kleenex. "Oh, here! Take the whole box!" Then Bethia smiled cynically. "Just be glad it wasn't Daniel. Again."

SEVEN DEGREES OF SEPARATION.....by Terri

John, Daniel and Rhys were sitting around getting acquainted. Rhys was concerned, "Will Rosamond be alright?"
Daniel leered, "She always was. I hate to break up this little smoker but I need to get back to the gym. And get these papers in the mail. John, did you sign them?"
John grabbed his pen and signed them all. "There. Now go!"
Daniel stood up and saluted them both. "Then I shall be on my way." He grabbed his jacket and put his gloves on. "Pop? Let's get together for a beer. I can fill you in on things that John never will. You missed.."
Rhys looked questioningly at him. Daniel grinned. "Naw...that would be just too weird! See you both. John? You coming in today?"
John shook his head. "No, I have to take care of all this. I'll call you later about that hot water heater in the men's showers."
After Daniel left, Rhys said, "He's quite the...the..."
John said, "Yes. Quite."
Celeste came into the kitchen with Julie.
"The baby and I went to lunch with William. He's in the conservatory."
She looked at John and Rhys. "Either Daniel is subdued or this is someone I have yet to be formally introduced to."
John and Rhy stood up. John said, "Celeste? This is my father. My biological one. Rhys Morgan, may I introduce Celeste Cipriano."
Rhys gave her a genuine smile. "I'm very happy to officially know you and I am sorry for all the confusion."
Celeste shook his hand. "I must say, John, I can see where you get your polished manners. Very nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan."
"Please! Call me Rhys."
"Will you be staying here..in this time frame?"
John explained, "Daniel and I decided that Rhys should stay and get to know his family. For a period of two weeks. If he wants to go back to the time frame, I will take him back."
Rhys said, "Regardless, I want to visit my sons. My sons! Sons I didn't know I had until yesterday!"
Celeste handed Rhys the baby. "Here. You can start by getting to know your granddaughter. Julie? This is Grandpa!"
Rhys tried not to let any emotion show as Julie sat on his lap and patted his face. She looked questioningly up at Rhys and then to John and said, "Da-da? DA-DA?"
She started to cry and John took her.
"I think she is confused." Rhys looked hurt. John explained, "She does that when Daniel comes over. She can't figure out two daddies."

Bethia came into the kitchen. She looked from John to Rhys. Then back again. "It's uncanny. You two are identical."
Rhys stood up and extended his hand to Bethia. "I'm sorry about last night. I'm Rhys Morgan. But you already know that."
Bethia took his hand. "I was all ready to read you the riot act. I have a distraught young woman sitting in my house mortified and crying her eyes out. She thinks she can't face you...or YOU, John. And to compound it, Daniel was here to witness her humiliation."
Rhys was remorseful. "I know I should have said something but.."
Bethia smiled slightly, "But the sea bass was sooo good..and your escort was delightful?"
Rhys was abashed. "Something like that. Honest, I really just wanted to see my sons. I had no designs on Rosamond. Not that she isn't an attractive woman..on the contrary."
Bethia said, "She's embarrassed beyond words. We had a long talk and Rosamond decided to stay at the new house down the street. She is leaving for the talk show circuit tomorrow and she thinks Rhys will be gone by that time. I just came to get a few of her things. She said she is packed for the trip and her suitcase is upstairs. She wants the children, too."
John said, "She's going to stay WHERE?"
Rhys started to say, "If there is a problem, maybe I should leave..."
Bethia hastened to add, "She's not mad or anything...not with you, Rhys, because she realizes she didn't give you a chance to explain. And she knows John tried to find her in Tortuga. She takes full blame for this. She just needs some down time. She's afraid..of another situation..you know..."

Rhys looked questioningly at John but he ignored it.
"Beth, should I go over to see her?" John asked.
Beth shook her head no. "She's going over to the house to do some work. That is the best therapy for her. She said the children's rooms are almost done and she wants to get the furniture arranged. And of course, your bedroom is done, too. Rose said for you and the children to come over tonight. She knows you want to spend time with your father."
John said, "But doesn't she want to get to know her father-in-law?"
Bethia looked at him with the pitying looks women give men sometimes when they JUST DON'T GET IT.
Rhys said softly, "I think Rosamond feels she's given me the wrong impression of her. I must say, John...you've got a very lively woman there!"
Bethia said, "I'll be on my way. She'll be alright. She's just mortified because she discussed having another baby...with your FATHER!"
Celeste, Bethia, John and Rhys looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Celeste sighed. "Yep! That would do it! Now--coffee, anyone?"

LATER----- John came in the back door with the children.
"Mommy! We brought pizza!" Will had two big boxes in his hands. Rose took it from him. "Wonderful! Since we don't have a stove!"
John took Julie's snow suit off. Will threw his coat on the back of the chair.
Rose said, "Will? Your room is almost done. So you have a nice warm room to sleep in." Will raced upstairs to look at it. Rose took Julie and John opened the pizza boxes. He laid a nice fire in the fireplace. Even though they didn't have anything to sit on.
They passed a quiet evening in the new house. Like a regular family. The children went to bed and Rose took John up to see what she had done to the bedroom. The makings of a fire was in the bedroom fireplace.
John whistled. "I like what you did, Rose. We're going to be deliriously happy in this house."
Rose gave a genuine smile. " I hope so."
John gave her a hug and said, "I know so. You knocked yourself out on this, darling. I couldn't be more pleased..or prouder of you."
Rose hugged him back and said, "Oh, John, thank you! And about your father...."
John shussed her with a kiss. "No need, Rosamond. No harm intended or done."
Rose's lips trembled. "But John, I felt like a wanton woman with him."
John laughed. "And he is envying my good fortune. To have a woman who loves me so totally."
Rose said, "I can never face him, John. What I said! The way I acted!"
John kissed her and said, "And you will be gone for a week...so let's not waste time with regrets!"
And by the firelight they toasted each other with champagne.

on to next part of STORY
Back to Table of Contents

[ Read / Sign my guestbook ]

Get a free Guestbook