Title: A Daughter’s Love Author: Lady S Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the Marshall-LeSourd Family, L.L.C. We are in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. We are continuing the story of Christy for our own amusement only. Any additions in story line and characters were invented by the writers of the alt.tv.christy Round Robin and the Christy Mailing List. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer. The fanfic here is being posted as a service to the Christy mailing list, Pax Christy Forum and Alt.tv.christy News Group. Summary: A Daughter’s Love for her Father is Never Ending… no Matter What? Author’s notes: This is the Third and Final story in the Love Trilogy. Enjoy! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Chapter One Sitting at her vanity, brush in hand, Christy stared at her reflection as she brushed her hair for the night. She could see the various traits she had inherited from her family, her fathers chin, her aunt Michelle’s ears, but the one trait she was most proud of was her mothers hair. It was long and curly and after being brushed it shone as though someone had lit a candle to light her hair. Smiling she put her brush down and stood up, blowing out the candle before slipping under the covers of her bed. Snuggling down she shifted until she’d found the most comfortable spot and relaxed, allowing the weariness to drift over her and pull her off to sleep. As she lay there in the dark, the sounds of the crickets filling the air, a smile graced her face as she thought of what tomorrow would bring. She was getting married! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Arching her back Christy slowly stretched, her ‘cat stretch’ as her father had teased more than once, bending backwards to touch her hands to her feet. Sighing she settled back down and allowed her senses to wake up one by one. The brightness of the sun shining in through the window, the sounds of the street coming alive below, the feel of the blankets covering her body, and the smell of… “Coffee?” Smiling Christy rolled over and opened her eyes to see Neil sitting on the edge of her bed. “You’re not supposed to be here.” “We mountain men make up our own rules,” he smiled back. “Besides, you look cute first thing in the morning, with your hair all mussed and your face rosy from sleep.” Frowning she sat up and ran a quick finger through her hair to try and straighten it out. “Well you’re still not supposed to be here,” she replied reaching for the coffee. “Would you rather I leave?” he asked, holding the cup just out of her reach. “I didn’t say that.” Grinning Neil handed her the cup of coffee and watched as she took a sip, sighing in appreciation. “But I feel it only fair to warn you, if my mother catches you in here you are in a lot of trouble, Neil MacNeil.” Neil could read the light teasing in her eyes and smiled. After everything they had been through lately it was good to see her in such a light hearted mood. One problem after another had attacked them until it seemed that nothing in their life would ever be right again. Margaret, the bear, Margaret again, his amnesia, Margaret’s death; there had been no end to their trials. Then again they had ended not long after Margaret had died, a fact which didn’t surprise Neil at all. His former wife had been a thorn in his side for far too long a time. As a doctor he’d never wish a patient dead of course, but now that she was finally really gone from his life Neil felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Then I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t catch me.” “Then thee had better keep thy ears open a little wider.” Looking past Neil to the door Christy smiled when she saw Alice standing in the doorway. “Looks like you got caught after all.” “Better to be caught by Alice than your mother,” Neil smiled. Leaning over he kissed his wife to be and fled the room before anyone else came in to catch him. “I was wondering when thee was going to wake,” Alice said as she took Neil’s place on the edge of the bed. “Thy mother was beginning to think thee was going to sleep the day away.” Christy smiled. “Today is the one day I would never be able to sleep through. But,” she paused to gather her thoughts of a more serious nature. “Miss Alice, I’m scared.” “Thee has nothing to be scared of,” Alice smiled gently. “I am sure thy mother will tell thee what to expect on thy wedding night.” Blushing Christy fiddled with her cup. “Mother has already spoken with me about that, Alice. That’s not what I mean.” Alice waited for Christy to continue. “Neil has already been married, he knows what to expect, who will do what, what it’s like to live with another person in such a close environment. What if… what if compares me to,” she paused for a moment. “… to Margaret.” “Christy,” she said softly, taking Christy’s hand in hers. “Neil loves thee. That is all he needs to know. Margaret is but a distant memory to Neil. She is a memory that thee have outshone in every way. Margaret was the moon but thee, thee are the sunshine in Neil’s life now.” Smiling Christy felt the sting of a tear in her eye but blinked it away. Today was a day to rejoice, not a day to cry. Setting the coffee on the table next to her bed she leaned forward and pulled Alice into a hug. “Thank you.” “Enough of this teary business. Thee are getting married today.” “I know!” she laughed, a sudden sense of giddiness filling her. Throwing off the covers she got out of the bed and reached for her robe hanging over the end of the bed. Together with Miss Alice she headed downstairs to the kitchen for an informal breakfast, the rest of the family having already eaten. As they were finishing Julia came into the kitchen with Teddy in tow. “We must start getting you ready, Christy,” she smiled. “There is so much to do in the next two hours. Neil and your father have already left with the groomsmen. They are going to oversee the setup of all the chairs and tables while we get the bride ready.” “Mamma!” Teddy laughed, jumping up and down next to Christy. Giving him a bite of her toast with jam Christy smiled when he smacked his lips in satisfaction. “Good!” The women laughed and Teddy grinned at them before reaching for another bite. Keeping it out of his reach Christy grabbed his hands to keep him from fingering the sticky jam before letting him have another bite. Glancing at each other the two older women shared a smile. “Thee are more a mother everyday,” Alice said, speaking for the both of them. Smiling up at them Christy laughed. “I’m just surrounded by children.” “Well enough of this,” Julia smiled, clapping her hands for attention. “You must go wash and then I shall send up one of the servants to fix your hair. Leave Teddy here with me and I shall finish feeding him your toast. Go on with you. There is still so much to do!” *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Chapter 2 coming soon.