Foundation of Life (sequel to Holiday Happiness)

Chapter 1

 

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.  

 

 

The dullness of winter had set in.  It had been weeks since Christy’s parents had returned to Asheville and she missed them
so.  Winter itself had not been particularly hard.  There hadn’t been much snow but some evenings were very cold.  Neil
would often be called out very early in the morning to deal with a frostbite case or a fever.  They hadn’t shared a meal together
in weeks and Christy was getting lonely.  It seemed the only time she saw Neil was when he would come the school during the
day to check on the children.  Even then with the children around it was difficult to talk.  With no one at home Christy often
finished the chores and her lesson plans before dinner.  She would eat alone and go right to bed.  She had noticed, as the
evenings got longer that her need for sleep increased.  She thought nothing of sleeping 10 or more hours. 

 

Neil would often come home to find dinner on the stove, the wood piled high, the house immaculate and Christy’s things ready
for school the next day.  He marveled at her ability to teach school and keep house.  She had also become quite the cook. 
Never knowing when Neil would be home or what food he would be given as payment, she was still able to make a wonderful
meal and have it on the stove warm for him.  There would also be a kettle filled with water for tea.  Neil tried to come home
every night.  He had found even a few hours in bed next to his wife was better than a full evening at a patient’s home.  On
those occasions when he did have to stay he took comfort in her handkerchief.  It seemed silly to him that a small piece of
cloth and a twist of a ring would make him feel better.  As he crawled into bed each night he tried carefully not to wake
Christy.  Every night he would lie still waiting for sleep to take over.  Inevitably his wife would curl up next to him or reach
over with her foot and touch his.  He would look at her and notice how peaceful she slept unconsciously knowing he was
there.

 

They hadn’t slept a full night together without someone in the cove needing his help in almost a month.  Each time Neil would
leave Christy would sit up in a sleepy haze and say I love you while Neil dressed to go to patient.  He often wondered if she
was even aware she did it.  He would leave her a note stating where he was and when he thought he’d return.  Still he too was
feeling lonely.  Neither could remember the last time they were alone and awake.  This winter seemed full of work and missed
moments each wished they could share.

 

On a particularly gloomy Saturday Christy again found herself alone.  Neil had been gone since Wednesday and she didn’t
know when he’d be back.  She was saddened by remembering their brief conversation but quickly her anger returned as she
remembered how it started.

 

Wednesday morning…

 

It was a surprisingly quiet morning.  Christy woke up to find Neil wasn’t in bed.  Had he even been home she thought.  As she
got out of bed and looked around she noticed that yes indeed he had been home.  His clothes were everywhere.  She
grumbled as she picked up the discarded items and put them in the laundry pile.  She then went to the washbasin and found
the water pitcher empty again.  Again she grumbled as she re-cleaned this area too.  She also began to notice how cold the
house was so she went to stoke the fire.  “He could have thrown another log on the fire.  That wouldn’t have taken too long.” 
She said aloud as she stirred the fire to warm the cabin.  She then refilled the pitcher with water she had brought in the day
before and returned to the bedroom to get ready for school.  She hadn’t even noticed the mess he’d left behind until she
returned.  She looked at the table and began sorting the things he’d left there.  Patient’s notes she put in a pile by his chair and
empty medicine bottles she put in a pot of water on the stove to sterilize.  She then wiped an area to eat her breakfast.  After
that she cleaned her dishes and his from the night before and put them away.  She also noticed he must have gotten paid in
beans.  By the looks of the bag, nearly five pounds.  No need to plant a garden this spring she thought.  “Good.  One less
thing for me to do.”  She said aloud again.  Once everything was to her liking she headed to the barn and took care of her
horse before packing up for school.  She was grateful for her horse because it made travel so much easier but on this morning
she just cursed the extra work she alone would be doing.  Before leaving she looked at his note.

 

Zack Holt- fever- should be home tonight- N.

 

“I guess Zack won’t be in today.”  Christy said flatly, unimpressed with Neil’s note.

 

Christy’s mood remained solemn until the children’s eagerness for the Valentines Day party overtook her.  The children
decided a winter dance would be a great way to celebrate.  They would use the mission’s barn and make the refreshments
and decorations themselves.  It wouldn’t be for two weeks but they were all very excited.  Christy was even happy when she
got home that night.  She had forgotten her anger until she opened the door to the cabin.

 

Neil apparently was home.  The kitchen was a mess.  His papers were everywhere and it looked as if he undressed on his
way to bed with clothes strewn all over the house.  Tears of anger came to her eyes as she closed the door quietly so as not to
wake him.  She again cleaned the house and when finished started dinner.  After she ate she set a plate on the stove for Neil
and began correcting papers.  As she finished posting the grades she heard Neil stirring upstairs.  He descended with only his
pants on.  For a moment the site of him made Christy forget her anger.  She had an overwhelming desire to run into his arms
and kiss him deeply.  She only wanted to return him to their bed and spend some time on the one thing she hadn’t done in the
house for a very long time.  

 

Her thoughts changed immediately when Neil spoke.  “Mmmmm what’s to eat?”

 

Christy’s temper suddenly reappeared.  “It’s on the stove.”  She said coldly packing her books for the next day.

 

“Is something wrong Christy?”  Neil asked taking his plate to the table.  

 

“Why would you say that?”  She answered slamming her books onto the table in the corner.

 

“Well, you usually are more glad to see me than you are right now.”  He replied taking a bite of food.

 

“How would you know what I usually am?” she retorted in anger.  “You’re never here and when you are you’re messing up
my house.”

 

“Our house.”  Neil answered bewildered at Christy’s short temper as he continued to eat.

 

“No.  My house.  I clean it, sometimes two or three times a day because you for some reason cannot pick up after yourself. 
You wear your muddy boots in the house, you leave everything out and you only seem to know how to write cryptic notes. 
You’ve even forgotten how to sign your name!”   She said throwing his latest note at him.

 

“I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy.”

 

“Busy? You’ve been busy?  Look around! I’m doing the work of three people here.  I take care of the barn, the firewood, the
cabin, the housework, the cooking and the laundry.  Which may I say would be easier if you didn’t leave it all over my house? 
I also teach school, prepare lessons, correct papers and file your patient’s notes away for you so that they won’t get lost. 
And just when I get done with my chores you come home and mess everything up.  I haven’t seen you since I left for church
Sunday and all you can say to me is ‘mmmmm what’s to eat?  It’s almost to the point that I’m glad when you don’t come
home.  I miss you terribly but you and your mess can live at the O’Teales if this is how you plan on living here!”

 

“Listen woman.  This was my house long before you came to the cove and I’ll not be treated like a boarder in it.”

 

“Fine.  Then enjoy you dinner.  It will be the last I make for you.”  Christy answered as she stomped up the stairs with her
bible in her hand.  She lit the lamp and soundly closed the door.  She tried to calm down while she got ready for bed.  As she
brushed her hair she heard voices down stairs.  Soon she heard the door close and looking out the window she saw Neil going
to the barn and leaving.  As he left to go up the path he turned and looked up at their window hoping for a glimpse of his wife. 
There she stood almost defiant.  He saw her wipe a tear from her eye.  He wanted to return and take her into his arms and
make up for his absence instead he only waved as he urged his horse toward his next patient.  He now regretted the note he
left for her.

 

Christy quickly when downstairs to read the note he surely left.

 

Christy- Zack’s worse- I don’t know when I’ll be back. Neil. (See I can sign my name.)

 

Christy began cried as she took the note upstairs.  Her anger had left her shortly after their argument.  Her tears came from a
release of stress.  She also realized, while reading his note that she had hurt him and she knew she had done so intentionally. 
That evening she began a love letter to him.  It held everything she hadn’t said since Thanksgiving and everything he would
ever need to know.  It made her feel better and she decided from then on to write him every evening so he would know and
so she wouldn’t explode.

Chapter 2

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.  

 

 

By Saturday Christy’s letter filled a writing tablet.  She set it aside and took down the laundry and put it away.  She was
surprised by how easy it now was to do laundry in the house.  Dumping the water was difficult without Neil.  Finally she
dragged the bucket out to the porch and pushed it over the edge.  She would then return the bucket to the porch.  With Neil
away more often she was becoming very independent and inventive.  Soon the cabin was clean again.  Christy settled into her
chair with a novel, looking forward to some non-school related reading.   She had gotten to the fourth chapter when a knock
startled her.  It was John Spencer.  “Leasten’s got the fever.  Yea gotta come.”

 

“OK hold on.”

 

She knew it would be dark soon and she’d not be back that night.  She grabbed a nightgown and her hairbrush.  She took a
small bottle of aspirin and one of Neil’s medical journals.  Everything fit into a bag she had made for herself.  After adding her
writing tablet she put on her coat and hung the bag on her back.  She took Neil’s last note, the one from Wednesday and
wrote N- At the Spencer’s, Leasten’s got a fever.  Will be home when I can.  3-C

 

“Come on John, let’s go.”  Christy announced as she pulled the logs apart in the fireplace and stove.  Soon they were on
Christy’s horse heading toward the Spencer farm.

 

Leasten’s fever was high.  Christy took the journal and scanned it quickly.  It indicated how much aspirin to give based on the
patient’s weight.   She gave him what it said and stayed at his side all night.  Jeb sat up too.  They talked and reminisced about
Fairlight.  They also spent some time in prayer.  The article said it would be about an hour for the fever to come down and it
had.  Now to keep it down.  Every few hours, while Jeb and Christy talked, She would give the boy a little more medicine. 
By morning Jeb was sleeping in the chair next to his son.  Christy made breakfast for the family and cleaned up the cabin. 
While everyone ate she wrote in her tablet to Neil.  It had snowed during the night and it had gotten pretty deep.  Jeb left to
take care of the stock and returned with grim news.  “Yea’ll be stayen here for a while Miz Christy, snow’s already too deep
to get yea home.  I won’t send yea with John either.  Yea’ll be stayen here till it stops.”

 

“That’s fine Jeb.  I left Neil a note so he knows I’m safe and where I am.  I’d be obliged though if you’d let me help around
the house.  It will keep my mind off the things.”


”Of course.”  Jeb answered, knowing ii was easier to not remember when you were busy.

 

Soon the house was clean and Christy was exhausted.  She left two doses of medicine for Jeb to give Leasten and told him
when to give them to him.  She then lied down in Zady’s bed for some sleep.  

 

Christy woke with a start.  She couldn’t remember where she was or how long she’d been sleeping, only that Clara was
staring at her.  “Pa said tis time to eat.” And off she scampered. Christy looked out the window.  It was still snowing hard and
there were no signs of letting up.

 

“Yea’ll be staying the night Miz Christy.  It might be better in the morning.”

 

“That’s alright.  I’m not foolish enough to risk the trip in the snow while it’s coming down like this.  How’s Leasten?

 

The rest of the evening was spent monitoring Leasten and singing songs.  There would be no school the next day for sure.

 

Meanwhile Neil finally returned home.  He had passed the mission and was glad that Christy hadn’t tried to attend services. 
By the time he got to their cabin he was cursing himself for not staying put also.  The storm had only gotten worse.  As he took
care of Charlie he again replayed in his mind what he would say to Christy when he saw her.  He’d apologize for his recent
behavior and try to make it up to her.  He ached so for her companionship and love and he couldn’t wait to hold her in his
arms again.  His heart sank as he opened the door and found the cabin empty.

 

He read her not and prayed she was still at the Spencer’s.  He knew he wouldn’t make it there safely and he’d have to wait
for the snow to stop.  He now remembered her horse was missing.  This caused him to wonder how tired he must really be. 
He started a fire being mindful not to mess the house.  In the morning he would go to the Spencer’s to check Leasten and
bring Christy home.  He finally fell asleep to that thought.

 

Leasten had gotten worse as the day progressed. His fever wasn’t breaking and now his cough was terrible.  Christy was sure
it was influenza and didn’t want to see it become pneumonia.  Late that evening the boy finally stopped coughing.  Christy
refused to leave his side.  She slept on a bedroll next to him all night.  She prayed the storm would break so she could get
word to Neil and have him treat Leasten. She was tormented by the fear of loosing the boy to illness.

Chapter 3

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.  

 

Neil woke before the sun rose that Monday morning.  The snow had stopped and he was eager to hold his wife.  He quickly
straightened the house and headed toward the Spencer’s.  As dawn broke he saw their cabin in the distance.  His thoughts of
Christy were interrupted by thoughts of Leasten.  Jeb had seen Neil dismount and opened the front door as he approached. 
Jeb was unshaven and rumpled; it was obvious that he had just woken up.  The house was so quiet.  Neil presumed everyone
was still asleep.  Christy, hearing noise in the front room, got up off the floor, wrapped herself in her quilt and went toward the
noise.  Her heart leaped when she saw Neil.  She had missed him so and eagerly ran into his arms.  She hadn’t noticed the
bewildered look on his face but did notice he didn’t return her hug.  

 

Had he really seen his beautiful wife emerge from Jeb’s bedroom in her nightgown and quilt?  It took more than a moment to
process his emotions, by then Christy stopped hugging him.  She looked into his eyes with a sadness he had never seen
before.  He touched her cheek.

 

“Your note said Leasten is sick?”

 

“Yes, he’s in here.”  Christy said returning to Jeb’s bedroom.  Neil followed and began examining the boy.  Christy stood
quietly in the corner, still wrapped in the quilt, trying to melt into the wall.  Neil started examining his patient asking medical
questions into the room.  Christy answered each question promptly and without emotion.  At the end of the exam Neil leaned
back and sighed, “Influenza.  That makes eleven.  Many more and it will be an epidemic.”  He then looked over to Christy. 
She looked so small and fragile.  “I want you to go home.” He told her.

 

“I’ll get my things.” She said approaching him.

 

“No.  I mean to Asheville.  I want you to go home to your parent’s.”

 

Christy suddenly felt lost and betrayed.  Prior to today her last words had been something about not making his dinner again. 
Had she really hurt him so deeply that he no longer wanted her around?  Had he stopped loving her?  No, she thought. 
They’d argued before and he had always loved her.  Certainly he still did.  As a tear came to her eye she quickly left.  She
would not cry in front of him.  This time he would not see how upset she was.

 

Neil’s eyes were fixed on her as she left the room.  He got up to follow her but was stopped by Jeb.

 

“How’s my boy Doc?” he asked.

 

“Should be fine.  The note said he had a fever.  How’d you get it down and keep it down?”

 

“Twas Miz Christy.  She’d read your medical journal and measure the medicine.  We’d give it to him every few hours.  She
ain’t slept much since she got her Saturday.  She even slept on the floor here last night so she could listen to his breathen.  She
loves the children as her own.  She did it.”

 

Neil could only nod.  His wife continued to amaze him.  As he entered the living area he noticed Christy was dressed and
brushing her hair with great determination.  She must have changed in the cold, closed off loft.  Why hadn’t she waited” He
would have cleared the room so she could dress privately in warmth.  She bent over and checked the laces on her shoes.  She
was ready to return to her cabin.  She said goodbye to the children and Leasten and gave Jeb a warm hug.  This friendly act
made Neil boil with jealousy.

 

“Let’s go home.” She said flatly and went to the barn for her horse with her sack on her back.  Neil said goodbye and left
some last instructions for care.  When he got to the barn with his horse he saw Christy mounting her already saddled horse.

 

“I’d have saddled him for you.” He said hurt.

 

“No need, I can do it myself.”  She answered avoiding his gaze.

 

They road home in silence.  Christy upset that Neil could send her away so easily, Neil upset with how close she and Jeb had
become.

 

When they got to their cabin Christy went to the barn and settled her horse for the day.  Neil also went to the barn but kept
everything ready for a quick departure.  Inside their cabin was cold.  Christy began building the fires as if Neil wasn’t there. 
She had actually forgotten that he would have built them both and was surprised when she began to start an already lit stove. 
“I’m sorry,” she said.  I’m just used to doing it by myself.  I’ve gotten into a routine…”  She just let the topic drop.  “When do
you think I should reopen the school?”  She asked changing the topic.

 

“You should see how the snow melts.  Probably two days maybe more.”  Neil answered hurt that his wife no longer seemed
to need him.

 

“Well if you want me to go to Asheville it will have to be after the winter dance.  We have a break from school then and the
children won’t notice my absence.”  She began unpacking her bag and avoided looking at her husband.  She knew her eyes
would betray her heart.  She put the stew on the stove and flipped to the last page of her writing tablet.  Jotted a note and
headed to bed.  “I’m tired.  Please wake me in three hours.  Dinner will be ready by then.”  And with that she closed the door
to their bedroom.

 

Neil was more confused than ever about his wife.  He wanted his wife to go to Asheville because he feared an epidemic.  With
eleven cases of influenza already, he knew that an epidemic was just around the corner.  He only wanted her safe.  Suddenly
he saw the writing tablet on the table and wondered what she had scribbled into it.  The first line peaked his curiosity.  It
started…

 

My dearest Neil,

 

He looked back at the door and wondered if he should really read it.  He figured Christy was already angry with him and since
the letter was addressed to him he had hoped it would shed some light on the subject.  He set up a pot of coffee and sat down
to read her letter.

 

Her delicate handwriting first spoke of love for him and how she had come to depend upon him so.  Soon she discussed her
anger over Hiram.  How hurt she was by a man she didn’t know.  How he had stolen not only the morphine but also her sense
of safety.  How even after his death she never felt truly safe except when she was with Neil.

 

He stopped reading here.  Her words had pierced his heart.  What he had perceived as forgiveness had been an
overwhelming fear in his wife.  He made his coffee and returned to the letter.

 

Christy continued to write of her own lack of confidence, moments of self-pity and loneliness.  She wrote how ashamed she
was of her biggest fear but didn’t mention it right away.  Soon Neil read how she feared not only storms but also the total
darkness of evenings in the cove.  He had never realized how little she ventured out at night until he had read this.  Christy then
disclosed that her greatest fear was losing Neil’s love.  She was now writing while tending Leasten and wrote about Jeb and
his love for Fairlight.  She wrote how the two had become close and how she envied their love.  She wrote how she too loved
Neil with all of her heart and how lost and alone she felt when he wasn’t around.  She also explained her cryptic 3-C.  It
meant 3 words …. I love you, Christy.  It would be their code so that the other would know what was written before was
true.

 

Now Neil wondered why he had been so jealous when he saw Christy in the quilt exiting Jeb’s bedroom or when she hugged
him.  His beloved wife had the same insecurities about his love as he had of hers.  Allowing this miscommunication to fester
made expressing their feelings more difficult.  Finally he got to the last page, that which she had written before retiring.

 

“I fear this will truly be the last meal I will prepare for you since you are insisting I leave.  I only want you to be happy and
leaving will do that.  Know I will never love another and once gone, will not return.”

 

Neil’s heart stopped beating.  Could she truly think he no longer loved her and was sending her away forever?  

 

He raced up the stairs to their room fearing she wasn’t sleeping but had slipped away.  As he flew open the door he saw her
sit upright and start swinging a large stick at him as if protection herself from him.

 

“Christy, no, it’s Neil.” He hollered.  “It’s Neil.”

 

She finally was able to focus on her husband and put the stick down.  However she sat there shaking violently.  

 

Neil leapt into bed and held her, physically trying to stop her shaking.  He stroked her hair and kissed her head while rubbing
her back and telling her it was all right.  Christy finally calmed down.  It was then that Neil finally spoke.

 

“Forgive me Christy but I read your letter.  I mean my letter, the one you wrote to me.”  Christy gasped.  Neil continued even
though her gasp shattered his confidence.  “I’ll not have you leave thinking I’ve stopped loving you.  I only want you safe.  An
influenza epidemic could be as deadly as any other one.  My first reaction will always be to protect you, to send you from
harm, to not allow you to get sick.  I also want you to know I don’t like being away from you either.  I’d take you on every
call if I could but it doesn’t seem practical.  Did you know I can’t sleep without your handkerchief in my hand when I’m gone
overnight?  I’m also sorry I was jealous of Jeb.”  It was then Christy looked into his eyes searching for an explanation. 
“Seeing you in your night gown coming from his bedroom.  Then later when you hugged him… I thought I was loosing you to
another man. Jeb is a wonderful man, strong, honest, and some might say handsome.  I began thinking you were sharing things
with him because I wasn’t around.”  Neil saw how his words hurt Christy.  He touched her cheek.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean
I thought you were… Oh this isn’t’ coming out right.  You had spent 3 days and 2 nights with him.  I hadn’t seen you for more
than 3 hours in a month.  I was angry and jealous of you and him and at myself.  Everything was wrong and I….”

 

Christy forced Neil to stop talking by kissing him deeply.  Just as they were about to release from their embrace she kissed
him again.

 

“I love only you Neil.” She finally said.

 

“I know,” Neil answered.  “It’s just…”

 

Again she kissed him, interrupting his thoughts.  Each time he tried to speak she kissed him more intimately.  Finally he asked,
“Are you going to let me finish?”

 

Christy smiled mischievously. “No.” she managed to say as she pulled her husband into bed.



Foundation of Love

Chapter 4

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.  

 

Christy finally allowed her husband to leave their bed when they smelled the stew cooking.  Both ran to the stove hoping not to
find a fire.  They were delighted to find dinner only a little burned.  Christy returned to their room to put on her robe while Neil
dished out dinner.  “Let’s eat at the table like civilized folk.”  She said as he started to load a tray with their dinner.

 

“Anything yea say ma’am.” Neil replied.  They both enjoyed their first meal together in weeks.  Neil told Christy about each of
his cases and she listened intently remembering what she had read in the patient’s notes.  Christy told Neil about what the
children were doing and the dance.  Neil was excited about the dance and eager to dance once again with his wife.

 

Together they quickly cleaned up the cabin.  Neil took care of the horses and Christy looked down at the writing tablet.   She
marveled at how those few pages became so important.  Neil settled with patient’s records in front of the fire when he came in
and Christy started making bread.  It had continued to snow slightly and they knew not only were they house bound but also it
was unlikely anyone would interrupt them.  Christy left the dough to rise and sat with Neil.

 

“Tell me what you’re thinking Neil.” She said.

 

“I was remembering that night in the storm when I though I’d lost you to a fever.  Never had I felt so frightened until this
morning when I read your letter and knew you thought I no longer loved you.  Never will that happen.” He said grabbing her
hand.

 

“I know.  I’ve always known.  It’s just sometimes when I’m lonely I forget.  If you want me to go to my parent’s I will.  Or I
can stay and help you with patients while I have a break from school.”  She answered, sitting on his lap resting her head on his
shoulder as they both stared into the fire.

 

“We’ll see.” He answered.

 

For the rest of that day they just lived and worked as any other family in the cove.  There was no one to interrupt them and
Neil spent some time in his laboratory and Christy worked on some patches for a quilt she wanted to make.  Neil stood in the
doorway of his laboratory staring at his wife.  After a long while she noticed him.  “Yes.” She said smiling.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“What?”

 

“Thank you.  Thank you for making this cabin a home, for taking care of me, for … well being my friend.”  Neil suddenly felt
self-conscious.

 

“You are most welcome.” She smiled back as a tear came to her eye.  Neil returned to his research and Christy to her
patches.  She reached for her tablet and wrote some thoughts down.  And smiled again. 

 

It had snowed on and off for several days and the MacNeills were house bound, venturing no farther than the barn. 
Uninterrupted by patients, children or neighbors they went about their normal lives.  Neil was able to complete a great deal of
research while Christy planned the spring lessons and worked on her patches.  Soon she’d had enough squares for a lap
blanket and started piecing them together.  She showed Neil when it was done.  Neil noticed that it was more the size of a
baby blanket.

 

“That’s not big enough for your lap.” He said with a smile.  “See.” Placing it over his legs.  Christy was clearly disappointed. 
She hadn’t enough scraps for more rows and pondered what to do with it.

 

“Perhaps for the table.” She said crossing to the table.  Seeing the quilt top was still to small he smiled at his wife.  

 

“Or perhaps a baby blanket?”

 

Christy blushed.  She hadn’t thought of that.  Had she subconsciously intended that to be the case?

 

“Would you like children?”  She asked Neil.

 

He looked at her with disbelief. “Well,” he began returning to his chair.  “We haven’t really discussed it, have we?  I guess it
could be an issue since I am a wee bit older than you.”  Christy had difficulty reading his face.  He seemed to be concentrating
on the subject the same way he analyzed research.  “Do you want children Christy?” he asked.

 

“Perhaps a dozen.”  Christy replied playfully.  “One in each month of the year.”

 

“A dozen!” Neil choked.  “Are you sure?  I know some families around here have 10, 14, even 17 children.  Are you sure a
dozen?”

 

“Well a dozen or three.” She answered.

 

A look of relief crossed Neil’s face.  “Well then how about if we start with one and go from there.”

 

“Seems like a good plan to me.”  She replied leaning against the fireplace. “When would you like to start?”

 

Neil’s eyes twinkled as he rose.  “No time like the present.  Last in bed cooks dinner.”  He said as he ran up the stair.

 

The rest of the afternoon they took great joy in trying to start a family.  When they finally woke up the next morning they
noticed the snow was beginning to melt.

 
Chapter 5

 

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.  

As Christy and Neil headed toward the mission they talked about the next few days.

 

“I’ll need to call on my patient’s.”  Neil said.  “And maybe gone a few days.  I will be back before the dance though.  I fully
intend on taking the prettiest teacher in the cove.”

 

Christy laughed.  “I understand she’s married to a wonderfully attentive man who caters to her every whim.  I hope you won’t
be too disappointed.”

 

Now Neil laughed.  “Well then I’ll have to dance with you, Mrs. Mac Neill.”

 

Christy loved the way he said her formal name.

 

The mission was bustling as they approached.  Many of the men had come out to catch up on the news in the cove.  No one
had heard from the Taylor’s since they’d come for Hiram and by Neil’s count there were seven more cases of the flu.

 

“That’s it Christy, Alice, I’m closing the school.  I’ll need it as a hospital, there are too many cases now.”  Neil said with
authority.  “If its alright with you reverend.  You can make the announcement at Sunday’s services.  Alice and I will go through
out the cove and check on families.  We’ll need to arrange for them to get here after services.  We’ll need wagons and men to
help out.”  He added looking at his neighbors.  Some nodded.  “Reverend I’d like Christy to stay here if it’s alright with you. 
We may need an extra nurse.”

 

“Of course.” David replied.

 

“Alright then Alice.  We’ll leave after lunch.  Christy and I will go home and get her things and supplies.  We’ll be back
shortly.”  He helped his wife onto her horse, mounted his own and the MacNeills were quickly heading home.

 

When they got to the cabin Neil got his medical supplies while Christy gathered some clothes for herself and Neil.  She took
her writing tablet and searched the kitchen for extra food.  She found some dried vegetables and meat.  Soon they were on
their way back to the mission.  Once there they joined the others for lunch Neil wrote down different things that would need to
be prepared by Sunday while he and Alice would travel the cove.  They would also ask people to come help.  Finally Neil
took Christy’s hand and took her to the place where they had taken their marriage vows.

 

“I’ll be back by Sunday.  I hope sooner.  You’ll stay her till this sickness is done with and when I come back I’ll stay with
you.”  He spoke as if he were trying to convince himself of his return.  She squeezed his hand as they both looked at the
horizon.  “The last time I left… I know you don’t like the darkness that’s here at night as much as you don’t like a bad
storm… Damn I wish I could say this better.”  Neil sighed avoiding Christy’s confused look.  “When I thought you cared for
Jeb it was such a dark, lonely place.  I…”

 

“Neil, Fear isn’t something either of us can control.  I will only love you.”  Christy said looking into his eyes hoping to reassure
him.  “I’m not making light of you fear, I remember how I felt when I saw Harriet wearing one of your shirts and when you left
for Baltimore.  It was as if the world beneath my feet was gone.  Nothing was real anymore.  I was lost.”  Neil’s eyes were
still frightened so Christy continued.  “Just remember only a woman that truly loves you would be willing to bear you twelve
children.”  Suddenly Neil’s eyes twinkled again, Christy thought she saw a tear forming.  “And when we get back home…”
Christy started with an implied smirk causing Neil to laugh aloud.

 

“All right then.  Give me a kiss and I’ll be going.”  Neil said.  Christy gave him an ever so sweet kiss.  “You think that’ll hold
me on these cold nights?”  Neil asked mischievously and kissed his wife more amorously.

 

“You’d better go.”  Christy said when he finally released her “Or we’ll be starting those babies right now.”

 

Neil laughed again.  “Yes ma’am.”  He said wrapping his arm around her waist as they walked back to the mission.  Soon
Neil and Alice were gone.

 

David, Christy and Ruby Mae began the to do list.  And by Sunday they were ready for patients to arrive after services. 
When services ended the church was converted to a hospital by many of the men.  Their wives came to the mission house and
helped Christy make soup.  Before dusk wagons started arriving with patients.  Many were older and some were Christy’s
students.  When everyone was settled Christy, Ruby Mae, Mary and Opal started feeding soup to those who couldn’t feed
themselves.  Neil and Alice medicated everyone.  Twenty-three total.  David moved out of the bunkhouse and the sickest
patients were put there.  Alice and David set up beds for themselves at the church and Neil moved into Christy’s room.  They
would take turns sleeping the church.  Every morning different women would come to help with the cooking and cleaning.  

 

The influenza passed through the cove rather quickly.  Most of the families had been infected but there had been one death. 
An older man Christy had never met.  Neil knew him well though and mourned him deeply.  Mr. Percy as he had been called
by everyone.  Neil explained that even when Neil was a boy Mr. Percy was considered old.  At the time he was the most
learned man in the cove.  He had taught Neil’s parent’s to cipher and had also taught Neil.  He had been the only teacher the
adults in the cove knew.  He was good with numbers and figuring even though he couldn’t read.  He had given Neil a love of
“facts”.  Neil used the unquestionable solutions to build his love of science upon.  The night Mr. Percy died had been hard on
him.  He had been up for two days and when he finally came to bed he became angry with himself for waking Christy.

 

“Sorry love.” He said a bit strained.

 

“What’s wrong Neil?”

 

“I lost a patient tis all.”

 

“Who?”

 

“Mr. Percy.”

 

By now Christy was sitting up.  She was grateful she didn’t know him but was keenly aware of Neil’s pain.  She watched him
get ready for bed and when he finally crawled under the covers he kept his distance from her.

 

“Neil, I can’t help you if you close me out.”  She said to his back.  Eventually Neil rolled toward her.  His eyes full of tears. 
“Let me be strong this time.”

 

Neil welcomed the embrace of her arms.  The last time he had cried this hard was as a student in Scotland.  He had received a
telegram from Mr. Percy saying his parent’s had died of scarlet fever.  This thought caused him to sob more deeply.  Never
had he felt safe enough to cry.  Years of grief came to the surface and just when he thought he could cry no more, he would
start again.  Christy continued to hold her husband.  She marveled at the depths of emotion her husband had.  Even though she
was greatly distressed to see him so sad and upset, she was relieved he was finally able to grieve.  She was surprised how her
love for him grew because he allowed her to be strong for him.  

 

When day broke they were still embracing.  Neil had long cried himself to sleep in Christy’s arms.  Christy slept with her head
on his.  Neil tried to get up without waking Christy again.

 

“Where do you think you’re going?” She asked.

 

“Christy, I’m sorry, go back to sleep.”

 

“Not without you.”  She replied patting the bed next to her. ”Just a few minutes.”

 

“Alright.”  Neil relented, stretching out beside her.  She took his arms and wrapped them around her.  She loved spooning
with her husband.

 

They later awoke to the smell of bacon cooking.  Christy started to get up but Neil pulled her back to bed.  “Thank you.”  He
whispered.  She squeezed into his embrace.

 

“Shall we see what’s for breakfast?”  Christy asked.  Neil laughed.

 

“A wee bit hungry huh?”  And the MacNeills were treating patients again.

 
Chapter 6

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.

 

 

School resumed once everyone was well enough to return home.  The children were disappointed that they had missed the
opportunity to have a valentines dance until Rob Allen suggested a planting dance just before the break for crop planting. 
Everyone thought it was a wonderful idea.  School would be closed a few weeks so the children could help their family’s plant
and prepare the fields.

 

The evening of the dance the mission barn looked very spring like.  The children made floral decorations in anticipation of
spring.  Jeb and some of the other men provided music.  Christy was not familiar with all of the reels and squares but in Neil’s
arms she was dancing like a native.  Christy made sure that every other song was children’s choice and managed to keep
everyone dancing all night.  By the end of the evening everyone was very ready for bed.

 

Little sleeping occurred at the MacNeill house that evening however.  Neil insisted that Christy go to Asheville for the break. 
She’d been run down since Christmas and he felt the pampering she’d get in Asheville would do her a world of good.  Christy
reluctantly agreed and was actually looking forward to it.  Their last evening together, however, would be very intimate and
was not interrupted. The next morning, they attended services together.  Christy was able to say good-bye to everyone.  Then
each on their own horse they traveled to El Pano.

 

As the train rattled toward Asheville Christy’s thoughts were of Neil standing alone on the platform.  She knew he wanted her
at her parent’s where it was peaceful and safe.  Where she could escape the trappings of adulthood.  Yet she could see in his
eyes his desire to keep her with him.  She stared toward the platform long after it left her view.  She closed her eyes imagining
Neil riding home alone.  She pictured him entering the cabin and finding the short notes she’d left everywhere for him to find. 
She imagined him eating the meal she’d left and even imagined that meal being interrupted by someone needing a doctor. 
Before she knew it she was in Asheville.  Her mother and father were standing on the platform waiting.  Both immediately
noticed a difference in Christy.  She seemed more mature.  Her mother also noticed she had gained weight.  She was no
longer able to button her sweater.

 

When they got home Christy told them all the things that were going on in the cove.  The children, the snow, the influenza and
even the quilt.  Julia noticed how much Christy had eaten for dinner and was concerned.  It wasn’t until the next morning that
she’d mentioned it to Christy.

 

“Christy.”  She began.  “I’d like you to do me a favor.”

 

“If I can Mother.  What is it?”

 

“I’m concerned about your health.  With all the illnesses in the cove you might have something and not know it.”

 

“Mother, I’m married to a doctor.  I’m sure he’d have noticed.”

 

“Sweetheart, Neil is a wonderful physician but you are his wife.  I don’t think he sees things clearly when it comes to you. 
Please if for no other reason but to stop my nagging, will you go?”

 

After a few moments Christy relented.  She didn’t want to spend the week arguing.  She was able to make and appointment
for Wednesday.  Monday and Tuesday she spent window-shopping and visiting friends.  She had changed so much since
she’d left even her dearest friends were strangers in many ways.  She met her father for lunch on Tuesday and truly enjoyed
being alone with him.  He enjoyed the new flexibility-working part time and the ability to take time off while Christy was
around.  This had been something he had not been able to do before his stroke.

 

Wednesday morning Christy went to the exam.  Their family doctor was away and Christy was glad.  Now that she was a
married woman her exam was more personal and it was easier to do in front of a stranger.  She smiled to herself when she
thought about her friends in the cove.  No one came for Neil when they were healthy.  So she never knew him to give this kind
of exam.  Patients were always really sick or bleeding.  Afterward she got dressed and went to his office.

 

“So doctor can you tell me why I’m so hungry and why my clothes don’t fit so well?  Was mother right? Am I ill?”

 

“Well Mrs. MacNeill. I must say there is a reason for your hunger and come September we’ll know for sure.”

 

“September?” she said in fear.

 

“Yes.  Near as I can figure you’re about 4 months pregnant give or take a few weeks.”

 

“How can you be sure?  I mean it’s only been recently that I’ve felt good enough to do things.  I’ve spent most of the winter
sleeping and in a funk.  Besides my husband isn’t home very often and we only decided a few weeks ago to start a family.  I
haven’t even been throwing up.”

 

“Mrs. MacNeill.  Are you sure you’re married to a doctor?”  Asked the man sitting across the table from her.  “First not all
women get sick and even then it’s usually before they even know for sure.  Second, needing sleep and a lot of it is not
uncommon.  Finally you remember your last monthly cycle being just after Thanksgiving when you said your husband was in
“Low Gap”.  You might have gotten pregnant when he returned.”

 

Christy blushed remembering their reunion.

 

The doctor continued.  “I’ll have my nurse give you a list of guidelines to follow though I’m sure once you tell your husband
he’ll wonder why he hadn’t seen it sooner.  Feel free to refer to his medical books and journals and above all DO NOT listen
to any of the women who want to tell you about childbirth.  Each woman is different and so is each labor.  And PLEASE only
listen to you husband’s medical advice or that of the nurse, Miss Alice, I believe.  Don’t follow any mountain superstitions.
Please.

 

“I won’t.  I’ve seen first hand how deadly that can be.”

 

“Good.  I’d like for you to take my name and address to your husband.  From what you’ve said he seems very
knowledgeable in Trachoma and surgery but there are some new articles I’d like to share with him regarding the care of a
patient during pregnancy.”

 

Christy nodded, overwhelmed with everything.  On the mountain women gave birth all the time.  Could it really be as difficult
as this doctor was saying?

 

“Also I suggest getting some store bought clothes.  You’re going to be outgrowing everything soon and will not have the time
to sew them.  Please get very lightweight articles and no corsets.  I can’t stress either enough.  Your baby will need the room
to grow.  You will also be very pregnant in August.  You can always wear your husband’s shirts if you’re cold but even on the
mountain in your own home you might want to wear something more feminine.”

 

As Christy left the office her head swam.  She wanted to call Neil but also wanted to tell him face to face.  She wanted him to
be the first to know but how could she go shopping without her mother.  Oh, mother she thought.  She was in the waiting
room.  Julia knew her daughter was pregnant before the doctor confirmed it.  As Christy settled the bill her mother came over
and kissed her cheek.  “Shall we go shopping for a few new outfits sweetheart.” Said Julia as Christy’s eyes filled with tears.

 

“Yes I’d like that.”

 

The rest of the morning was spent shopping and having lunch.  Neither woman realized how many stores were unnoticed.
After purchasing several outfits Christy purchased some pipe tobacco for her husband.  Christy wouldn’t allow anything be
purchased for the baby.  She had seen too many tragedies in the cove.  She only wanted to concern herself with the present. 
When she and Julia returned home Christy became painfully aware of how uncertain the future was.

Chapter 7

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.

 

 

William Huddleston’s face was gray with fear as he stood in the foyer of his home.  Trunks packed for a trip were being
loaded into a wagon.

 

“Christy, sit down girlie.  Let me explain.”

 

Christy sat down as numbness and fear over took her.  “Neil?”  She managed to say.

 

“Dr. Davis is with him now.  Alice called and said his appendix ruptured on his way back for visiting a patient.  He made it to
the mission’s property on his horse before he fell off.  He has hit his head and probably cracked some ribs.  Dr. Davis had to
operate to find out where the bleeding was coming from.  That’s when he found out about the appendix.  Your mother, Nancy
and I will go to the mission with you.  We should be in El Pano by 3:30 if we can catch the next train.  Miss Alice said she’d
have David and Jeb Spencer there before dark.”

 

Christy tried to absorb everything her father had said.  She allowed her mother to guide her from the house to the wagon and
from the wagon to the train.  As they rode toward El Pano all of the day’s excitement surfaced as tears in Christy.  Tears
rolled down her cheeks as she though of her husband lying in bed ill and without her.  She realized that she had to picture him
well and sitting in front of the fire playing lions and tigers with the baby she carried in her womb.  For her sake and the sake of
the baby she had to focus on the future and on the happiest times.  She would have to be strong enough for herself and Neil. 
This time she would need to carry the burden.  

 

As promised Jeb and David were at the station in El Pano.  Each with a wagon.  David took Christy and Nancy and Jeb took
the Huddleston’s.  The luggage fit in both wagons.  David updated Christy on the details of the day.  Neil was still unconscious
but that could have been from the ether.  Dr. Davis and his wife were both at the Mission as were Miss Alice, Ruby Mae and
the Spencer children.  David was concerned when Christy didn’t answer him.  Finally she turned toward him.  She appeared
to be soaking in the beauty of spring.  Only the crocuses and daffodils were blooming but Christy’s eyes were seeing the trees
blooming and the birds returning.  David saw fire in Christy’s eyes.  The same fire she had when she argued a point that she
knew was right.  He knew she would use that same fight to will her husband back to good health.  

 

As they approached the mission Christy saw what could only be described as a small village of tents being set up.  Every
family in the cove and many from beyond the farthest ridges were there. Neil was more than a doctor, to them he was a friend,
he was one of them.  As they got closer many people came up to express their love.  Christy only knew the ones with children
and those who attended service.  Neil however must have known them all.  Finally they were at the mission step.  Tom
McHone helped Christy out of the wagon and assured her doc was a fighter.  Christy knowingly squeezed his hand and
smiled.  Then after thanking Tom she headed inside searching for Dr. Davis.  She found Miss Alice.

 

“Christy.” She said with relief as she hugged the woman she loved as her own daughter.

 

“Where is he?” asked Christy taking every ounce of strength from her hug.

 

“Mrs. MacNeill.”  Said Dr. Davis entering the parlor.  “Before you see your husband I must speak with you.  Please sit
down.”  Christy was surprised by the doctor’s youthful appearance.  She knew he was new to the area but never suspected
he was fresh out of medical school.

 

“Certainly.”  She said sitting on the closest chair.  Alice sat next to her holding one hand and her mother stood holding her
other hand tightly.  Christy noticed how quiet everything was.  Even Ruby Mae wasn’t chattering.

 

“Your husband is very sick.  He apparently ignored the symptoms of appendicitis and his appendix ruptured.  I’m not sure
when this happened but I am sure it was the weakness caused by it that resulted in his fall from his horse.  That fall gave him a
concussion and a broken rib.  He is fortunate he didn’t puncture a lung.  Before you see him I must impress upon you how
different he looks.  First I had to boar a small hole in his skull to release the pressure.  I’ve had to leave it open so it won’t
build up.  I hope to close it very soon.  His head and face are very swollen and you might not recognize him.  Also his body is
fighting the damage of the appendix so he has a high fever that I’m trying to bring down slowly.  A little fever is good.  It tells
me his body is fighting, too high though and it can’t let his body do its job properly.  Do you understand?”  Christy nodded
digestion what the doctor had told her.  “Do you have any questions?”

 

“Yes doctor.  When do you plan on closing his skull?  Won’t leaving it open lead to infections?”

 

“I was just about to start the surgery when Miss Alice said you were riding up.  I’ll let you see him if you’d like before I do the
surgery.  I’ll have Miss Alice and my wife drape his head so you can see his face but not the wound.”

 

“Alright.  I would like to see him now so you can start as soon as possible.”

 

Dr. Davis led Christy to her old room.   There lay Neil unconscious and very swollen.  The women carefully held a sheet over
Neil’s head at his hairline so Christy could see his face.  Christy knelt by his bed and held his hand.

 

“Neil.” She started.  “I’m right here.  Can you feel me squeezing your hand?  Listen love I need you to do something for me.  I
need you to fight and get better, OK?  When I was in Asheville Mother insisted I see a doctor and he told me we’re going to
have a baby.”

 

Everyone in the room stood in shock wondering if they had really heard what she had said.  Christy took their reaction as a
sign of what Neil’s would be.

 

“That’s right love, a little baby.  Now you know what a terrible cook I am so I need you to fight for us.  We’ll go hungry
without you there to cook and care for us.  Neil can you hear me?  I need you to fight, to fight harder than you’ve ever had to
before.  I’m squeezing your hand and twisting my ring.  Here I’ll twist yours too.  Dr. Davis has to do another surgery right
now so I have to go downstairs but I’ll be back as soon as he lets me. You fight Neil MacNeill, you’ve fought for me before
and won my heart.  I need you to fight again.”  Christy kissed his hand as hard as she could and rubbed the back of it against
her cheek.  “I love you.” She whispered getting up and kissing his lips.  “We both do.”  She rested her hand at his side and
looked at the doctor with tears in his eyes he nodded and she left the room.  For a moment everyone stood in shock and
amazement over what this young bride had done.  Christy had, without tears, admonished her husband to fight for his life, their
life.  She knew how fragile his life now was and the risk of the surgery he was about to undergo.  She knew she had to tell him
about the baby in case things took a turn for the worse and she didn’t get another chance.  She shared their “secret” ring twist
and she led tight to his hand.  While they all stood there a moment Christy re-entered the room and went toward her husband's
discarded clothes.  She rummaged in his pockets for his knife and opened it up.  She then stabbed the knife into the wall and
uttered, “to cut the pain”.  She removed her hair ribbon and tied it to his wrist.  “You stay with me Neil MacNeill. You hear,
you stay.”  She ordered and left the room.

 

Alice smiled knowing Christy wasn’t taking any chances even with foolish superstitions.  “I’ll explain later.”  She told the
Davises when she saw the confused looks on their faces.


Chapter 8

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.

 

 

When the surgery was over and the wound bandaged, Christy returned to her husband’s side.  Over the next few days, Neil’s
condition fluctuated.  He didn’t regain consciousness but his fever didn’t spike either.  Dr. Davis thought this was a good sign. 
He was hoping and praying the Neil’s white blood cells were indeed fighting the infection caused by the ruptured appendix. 
Through out it all Christy rarely left Neil’s side.  During the day she would read to him from her journal or the bible and she
would pray.  Sometimes she would sing or tell him a story about when she was a little girl.   She also cared for his personal
needs.  Dr. Davis had inserted a feeding tube in order for Neil to receive fluids and nutrients.  Neil was “fed” often to prevent
dehydration.  At night Christy had had David move another bed into the room.  With the beds next to each other Christy could
sleep comfortably next to her husband without disturbing him.  This made both she and Neil rest more comfortable.  Dr.Davis
was grateful for this small act of love.  He was beginning to worry about the strain on Christy and the baby.

 

On day three Dr. Davis again examined Neil.  Christy was ordered downstairs to have a meal.  During the exam Neil’s eyes
flew opened.  There was and unmistakable sign of fear and panic in his eyes.  Dr. Davis quickly removed the feeding tube so
Neil could speak.

 

“Christy?” he whispered almost too softly to be heard.  He winced at the soreness caused by the feeding tube.

 

“She’s downstairs.  Your appendix ruptured and you fell from your horse.  Bird’s Eye Taylor found you and brought you to
the mission.  You’ve broken a rib and had some hemorrhaging in your brain.  I had to relieve the pressure and we’ve been
fighting the peritonitis since the surgery.  You’ve been unconscious for almost four days.”

 

Neil seemed relieved at the doctor’s words.  His last memories were of being very tired and ill while returning from seeing a
patient.  He couldn’t remember which patient but he knew it would in his notes.  He looked up at the ceiling.  He noticed his
knife in the wall and looked back at his colleague with a questioning expression.

 

“I’m sorry; do you want to know about your knife?”  The doctor raised Neil’s hand with the ribbon tied to it.  “Your wife
wasn’t taking any chances.”

 

Tears came to Neil’s eyes as he remembered the first day he saw her.  He smiled realizing Christy had transformed from a city
girl to a mountain wife.

 

“Would you like to see your wife?” 

 

Neil nodded.

 

Dr. Davis opened the door and called down, “Mrs. MacNeill, you may come up now.”

 

Christy hadn’t noticed a change in his voice or any urgency.  She picked up a magazine which contained an article she would
read to him that afternoon and went upstairs.

 

As Christy entered the room she couldn’t believe her eyes.  Neil was sitting up looking at her.  Tears came to her eyes as
stared at him in disbelief.  Was he really awake?

 

“Did you miss me?” Neil managed to say without wincing.  In an instant Christy was on the edge of his bed holding his hands
tightly.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked into his eyes.

 

“Miss you?” she said kissing his hands.  “You could say that. How are you feeling?”  She ran her fingers over his forehead and
through his hair.

 

“He’ll have a sore throat for a few days from the feeding tube so I suggest, no make that an order, that for 48 hours you are to
rest that voice and not talk.  You can write what you have to say to your wife and any of us.  Do you understand?”  Said Dr
Davis with a great deal of authority.  “I’ll be back in 2 days and expect to see an improvement.  I repeat no talking.  You may
eat and drink but no talking.”  Neil looked like a scolded boy who planned to break that rule as soon as the doctor left the
room.  “Neil,” he continued.  “If you promise not to speak I will allow your wife to kiss you often but only if you do not
speak.  Understood?”

 

Neil smiled and eagerly nodded he took some paper and wrote- can I kiss her now?-

 

“Of course.  I’ll be back in two days and I’ll tell the others to give you two privacy.  Remember no talking; only kissing.  Dr.
Davis gave the MacNeill’s a grin.  He had seen in Low Gap how important Christy was to Neil and he had seen in the last few
days how Christy’s love and faith never wavered.  She never doubted Neil’s return to good health.  Even when he himself
thought Neil only had a few hours left, Christy persevered.  She never stopped talking to him or reading to him.  She had
actually loved him back to health.  When he got to the kitchen he walked over to his own wife and kissed her deeply.  “Come,
its time to go home.”

 
Chapter 9

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.

 

 

Everyone left the MacNeill’s alone to be come reacquainted.

 

-You look tired. - Neil wrote after and eternity of kissing his beautiful wife.

 

“Well I haven’t been sleeping for almost four days like someone I know.”  She said smiling at him.  She continued to caress his
face as she had done often over the last few days.

 

-I remember that, your touch, when I was unconscious, I remember hearing you read to me from your bible, and from medical
journals and your touch. I always knew it was you by the smell of roses and your touch- Neil wrote quickly.

 

“I thought you could hear me like when you fall asleep in the front of the fire yet can make it to bed without waking up.  What
else do you remember?”

 

-People coming and going and the melody of your voice.  I remember laughing when you would miss pronounce medical terms
and I remember how I longed to open my eyes and hold in my arms.-

 

“Neil, I was wondering.”  Christy started.  “How are your ribs?  I mean do you think?... Are you well enough to hold me if I
lie real still?”  She asked.  For days she feared she would never fell her husband’s embrace.  She had prayed that he would
hold her only then would she feel safe.  Neil patted the other side of the bed, away from his bad rib.  He carefully moved over
a little to give her some room.  He noticed his tiny bride was now sturdier in her stature and looked wonderful.  Christy
carefully crawled into the crook of his arm.  Before resting her head on his chest she looked into his eyes.  “Don’t scare me
like that again.  OK?  You are my life.  I can’t even think of my life without you.  Next time I won’t kiss you, I’ll throttle you. 
Understand?”  Neil smiled as tears came to his eyes.  He must have been worse off than he thought to have scared her so.  He
could feel her heart beating out of her chest.  He mouthed the words –I love you- and Christy replied with a kiss.  She listened
to his heart beating strong.  She felt his arm rub up and down her shoulder and back.  Before drifting to sleep she felt him
kissing the top of her head.  Kissing, no talking. She said as she fell asleep.

 

Later that day there was a soft knock on the door to Neil’s room.  As it cautiously opened Alice Henderson peaked in.  Neil
put his index finger to his lips in on attempting to keep her quiet.  Christy still slept in his arm and he didn’t want her disturbed. 
Alice entered with a tray of soft food. 

 

“Thee must be hungry.”  She whispered.  Neil nodded pointing to his pad of paper.  Alice gave it to him knowing he wasn’t to
speak.

 

-I’ll eat when she wakes- he wrote.

 

“How is your head?” she whispered.

 

-Sore but OK.  Rib too.  How bad was I?-

 

Alice hesitated and Neil knew he must have skirted death too closely.

 

-That bad?-

 

Alice smiled.  “Thee is with us and that is all that matters.  We can talk when thee is stronger.  When thee is hungry this is
here.  If it’s too cold send Christy down for more.”  She patted his hand and kissed his forehead and quietly left the two to
rest.

 

Neil looked down at Christy and sighed deeply.  Together they lay sleeping safely in each other’s embrace.

Chapter 10

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.

 

 

 

Christy awoke to the sound of Neil’s stomach growling like a grizzly bear.  She stiffly rose from their embrace only to be held
more tightly.  She twisted to see Neil’s tired face looking at her.

 

-Morning- he mouthed not saying a word.  He kissed the top of her head and let her rise.

 

“I slept all night?” she asked.  Neil nodded.  “You let me sleep all night?”

 

-You need it- he wrote on the tablet he now kept close at hand.

 

“You need to rest too.  Last night couldn’t have been comfortable for you.”

 

-Arm stiff.  But worth it-

 

Christy began massaging his arm and hand.  He made her stop so he could continue.

 

-Davis said kissing no talking so kiss me or I’ll start talking.-

 

Christy smiled at her weary husband.  “Only a short while.  I need you to eat and rest in order to regain your strength.  Once
you’re strong enough we can do more than kiss.  We are married you know.”  She replied in a most suggestive manner.

 

Neil smiled and his eyes twinkled. –Motivation? Then bring me food woman! -  He wrote frantically

 

“What about your kiss?”  She asked leaning only an inch from his lips.

 

FOOD he mouthed as he pulled her in to a gentle kiss.

 

Food he mouthed again as she sat up.

 

Christy laughed “Food it is Mr. MacNeill.  I’ll be right back.”

 

Neil could hear her descend to the kitchen.  There seemed to be a skip to her step.  He smiled as he pictured her cooking his
breakfast.  He could hear her talking with Alice and her mother. But couldn’t make out the words.  He looked around the
room that had once been Christy’s trying to imagine what had happened while he was in a coma.  The extra bed? The chairs? 
He suddenly remembered seeing them but not from the bed, more from above.  But how?  He noticed Christy’s writing tablet
on the far side of the room.  He wished he could reach it.  Her writing would tell him everything.  He looked at the table next
to his bed.  There was a stack of tablets there.  Neil thought if writing helped Christy so perhaps it would help him too.  And
so he began to write.  He started with her departure and continued writing when Christy entered with Miss Alice and two large
trays of food.  He slid the tablet under his blanket and smiled at the women.  He grabbed a different tablet and wrote –YUM-

 

Neil squirmed to sit up while Christy adjusted the pillows to support his back.  The site of him sitting in bed without a shirt
made her heart leap.  His ribs were still bandaged, reminding her how close he had come to death. She could feel the tears
coming.  Without looking at Neil she quickly left his room.  On her way out Miss Alice saw her expression and understood. 
She quietly closed the door and returned to Neil who sat bewildered and lost.

 

“She will be fine.  I’m sure she will return shortly.”  Alice told the man she loved as a son.

 

-Why?-

 

“Does thee remember anything about being in a coma?”

 

-Some.-

 

“Would thee share it with me?”

 

-I remember feeling mostly. Feeling loved, feeling enveloped in love from everyone I’ve ever known.  I remember hearing
Christy’s voice.  I also remember seeing patients who had passed away.  But always I heard Christy, felt her.  But not in
physical sense more like she was inside me warming me from within.  I saw her lying next to me crying stroking my face,
kissing me.  Her voice wasn’t soothing me it was tearing me in two.  I fell hard from somewhere and I could hear her crying
but I couldn’t get to her.  The next thing I remembered Davis examining me amazed I was awake.-

 

Alice read what Neil wrote as he wrote it.

 

“Neil I will tell thee what thee need to know.  Thee must hear me out and not become agitated.”

 

Neil nodded.

 

“Thee must have been ill with appendicitis for a while.  We figured it must have ruptured and thee must have passed out form
the pain or peritonitis.  Bird’s eye Taylor found thy horse and then thee, unconscious on the ground, bleeding badly.  He got
thee here and we called Dr. Davis.  The poor man made it from El Pano in record time.  We had just finished sterilizing thy
instruments when he arrived.  He had to bore a hole in thy skull before doing exploratory surgery on thy abdomen.  It was then
he discovered the peritonitis and appendix rupture.  He kept thy skull exposed until the swelling decreased and put a tube in
your abdomen hoping to keep the infection from building up.  Christy was called and arrived right before Dr. Davis closed thy
skull. That was when she stabbed they knife into the wall and tied this ribbon to thy wrist.  Her parent’s and Nancy came with
her.  After the surgery you didn’t improve.  In the middle of the night Christy woke the mission screaming.  She said she could
feel you leaving her.  Thy spirit leaving her heart.  Dr. Davis confirmed that thy pulse was very weak and thy wasn’t going to
make it.  Many of thy patients have been camped here for days.  Christy sent David down to have them begin praying
earnestly for thy recovery.  As she lay with thee in bed, telling thee all of the reasons to stay here the Davises, the Huddlstons,
Nancy, Ruby Mae and myself formed a circle around thee and prayed.  None of us were letting thee go without a fight. 
Suddenly thee gasped, frightening everyone, Dr. Davis quickly examined thee.  Thy heart beat was strong and thy fever was
lower.  It was as if thee were fighting to live.  Christy refused to leave thee.  She would not even sleep in the bed we brought
in.  She took another ribbon from her hair and tied thy wrists together proclaiming thee was going no where without her. 
Finally as thee improved, Dr. Davis sent her to spend some time in the kitchen while he examined thee.  I truly believe her love
kept thee alive.”

 

Neil’s eyes swelled with tears.   His heart broke for the terror his wife must have endured.  By all accounts he had died.  Alice
was right he was only alive because of her faith and love.

 

“Seeing thee getting better gives her true joy.  Sometimes things will remind her how close she came to loosing thee.  She
doesn’t want to be weak right now.  She needs to be strong for both of thee.   Thee must let her.  Thee is still very weak and a
set back would do more than devastate her.  Thee must promise me that thee will allow her to do this.  To be strong.  Soon
thee will be well and thee will lift her burden.  Does thee promise?”

 

Neil nodded.  He took his tablet out from under the blanket and began writing feverishly.  His writing was unreadable yet he
forged ahead refusing to stop until everything he had to say was written.  Finally he finished.  Alice began helping him eat.  Neil
felt like a baby but just sitting and writing had tired him so. That he gratefully took his meal.  Christy entered as he finished the
first bowl.

 

“Are you still hungry?” She asked replacing Miss Alice.  Alice warmly touched the young woman’s shoulder as she left.   She
looked at Neil who mouthed the words “thank you”.  At that moment she knew everything would be fine.

 

 Chapter 11

 

Author Lynda@dcupss.com 

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. The content of each story is the responsibility of the individual writer.

 

 

By the time Neil had finished his third bowl of soup he was sufficiently full.  Christy had chattered about the news of the cove. 
Inside Neil smiled at the way Christy avoided his illness.  Christy cleaned the mess she had made with drips from the spoon. 
Neil smiled as she wiped his chest carefully and then his face.  His hands took her face forcing her to look at him.  His eyes
searched her soul for doubts and only saw love, it was then he kissed her.  Deeply, amorously, with all of the emotion he’d
ever felt.  The fear, pain, joy, loves even the tears and laughter.  He kissed her as if he had never kissed her before.  Leaving
her breathless.  As she regained her composure he reached for the conversation tablet and pointed to something he had
written previously.

 

-Kissing, no talking. - And gave her a playful smile.

 

“All right Doctor but only if you promise to rest.”

 

Neil nodded as he pulled his wife toward him.

 

When Neil finally slept peacefully Christy went outside to update everyone who had come to the mission.  She asked each of
them to give David their name so she could tell Neil and so she could pray for them.  She thanked each on personally and let
them know how important they were to Neil’s recovery.  Slowly many of the families left the mission to return home.

 

Christy, at her mother’s and Miss Alice’s insistence, lay down in Alice’s bed.  There she slept until she smelled dinner
cooking.  After she ate quickly with the others she took Neil his meal.  He too had slept the day away and was famished.  He
could still only manage soft, liquid food but he finally felt strong enough to fee himself.  While he ate he asked Christy to read
his journal. He had tried to make it more readable but she still had to ask him what certain words were.  The entire letter, in
many different ways expressed his love and admiration for her.  He knew, without her, life was void of joy and color.  She
was everything to him and if he ever took advantage of her love and devotion she need only hand him this letter.  Neil was
proud to share what was in his heart until he saw Christy’s tears.  He touched her arm and then her chin, turning her face to
look at him.  When their eyes me they both knew that this time it was too close and the fear of what might have happened over
took them.  Together they held each other.  Reassuring themselves they were indeed safe.

 

The next morning Dr. Davis returned to examine Neil.  Neil’s throat was healing nicely and when asked what he had been
doing the past few days his first words spoken were, “I’ve been kissing my wife.”  The doctor laughed as Neil winked at
Christy who sat blushing next to her husband.

 

“Yes I can see that has been a wonderful incentive for your recovery.  Since you’ve done so well with that therapy you wife
has one of her own to get you up and about.”

 

“Neil,” Christy said to her bewildered husband.  “When I got to Asheville mother insisted I go to a doctor, she knew without
being told.”

 

“I believe any first year medical student could have diagnosed her condition Neil,” interrupted Dr. Davis.  

 

Christy glared at Dr. Davis, who cowered, realizing his mistake.

 

“What is it? What’s wrong?” asked the panicked husband attempting to get out of bed.

 


”Neil,” she started again taking his hand and turning so he could only see her.  “As soon as you’re up to it I’ve arranged for
the men in the cove to help you build some extra rooms onto the cabin so you can treat patients that come to us.”  She could
already see Neil’s temper flare.  He hated being told how to do anything, especially practice medicine.  She continued
undaunted.  “The way I see it, you’ll still have to be away at times but this should allow you to participate in raising our
children, teaching them everything a daddy teaches his children.”

 

“Christy, we’ve plenty of time for that.  Nature gives us about 7 or 8 months warning before a baby comes.”  Neil tried to
explain.  He noticed as a matter of fact she had taken to wearing her Christmas necklace on the outside of her dress and
played with it when she was nervous.

 

Christy took the hands she held in her own and placed them onto her small but growing stomach. “But God is only giving us
about 4 months.”

 

Suddenly the puzzle became clear to Neil as his eyes went from hers to her stomach and then back to her eyes again.  Tears
weld up. “Are you sure?” he asked carefully.

 

Dr. Davis, without saying a word offered Neil his stethoscope.  Neil cautiously listened.  He moved the stethoscope several
times and looked worried suddenly his expression changed and his eyes swelled again.  Christy smiled down at her husband as
he started laughing excitedly.  She softly touched his head where he had had surgery, remembering again how she nearly lost
him.  She began crying again.

 

Neil thought her tears were those of joy.  “A family,” he said handing Dr. Davis his stethoscope.  “Christy we’ll be a family
soon.”  As he leaned back on his pillows he pulled Christy to him and held her tightly.  “Thank you.“ He said to Dr. Davis as
he left the room.  Neil became concerned when Christy continued to sob.  “Christy, love, it will be alright.  I’ll be alright
really.  When Dr. Davis returns he’ll get me out of the blasted bed and get me walking.  I won’t be able to do the building but
I can draw the plans.  We’ll be done before the summer is over.  Please. Please. You’re breaking my heart. Please stop
crying.”

 

Christy took a deep breath and composed herself.  Finally able to speak she said “What if this happens again?  What if your
appendix ruptures again?”

 

Neil laughed down to his toes.  Putting a pillow over his abdominal incision he said “Christy.  People only have one appendix. 
I can promise you it will never, ever rupture again.”  And he continued to laugh.  Christy realized how absurd her moment had
been and how silly she sounded.   Quickly her tears turned from fear to joy as she joined Neil’s laughter.  

 

“I’ll go get the doctor, let’s get you out of this bed “daddy”” she said assuming authority.

 

“Yes momma.” He replied giving her a quick kiss.

 

Dr. Davis re entered the room as he heard them laughing.  “You’ve been in bed too long doctor.  Let’s get you moving, that
chair will do.”  Christy went to help Neil sit up and put his feet on the floor.  Dr. Davis grabbed the desk chair and put it in
front of Neil.  “Are you dizzy Neil?” Neil shook his head no. ”Fine you can use this chair as a walker to lean on.  On three you
stand.” He said placing his hands under Neil’s arms.  “One, two, three, up.  Good.”  He said as Neil regained his balanced. 
“Ok let me see you move.”

 

Slowly, very slowly, Neil made his way around the room.  “Keep moving” said the doctor.  Christy took this opportunity to
change the bedding.  When Neil made it over to the window he stopped and turned the chair and sat down.  “Good, you can
have your lunch there and then go for another walk.  As you know you need to move as much as possible to prevent
complications.  I’ll be back in two more days to remove the stitches, by then I want you walking upright without the chair.”

 

“Yes sir.” Answered Neil

 

“I’ll leave some medicine for the pain but I’d prefer you not take any more then necessary.”  Neil nodded.  The doctor’s
demeanor changed.  “Neil, Christy?  You are both an inspiration.  It has been wonderful getting to know you.  I could not be
happier for your recovery and pending birth.  Congratulations.”

 

“Thank you William.”  Said Neil extending his hand.  “I know I’m an unbearable patient.  It’s a wonder you didn’t walk out on
me.”

 

They all smiled.

 

“Thank you.”  Christy managed while giving him a hug.  “Thank you for everything”

 

“I’ll see you in two days.  They said the doctor as he left.

 

Neil and Christy shared a smile as she opened the windows to freshen the room.

Conclusion

 

When Dr. Davis returned Neil was not only walking without the chair, he had managed to walk down the stairs.  Of course
Christy hadn’t realized what he was up to until she turned to take his lunch tray up to him and saw him in the doorway. As she
voiced her concerns angrily at him, he walked over and hugged her.  He noticed Christy’s parents were absent as was Nancy
and David.  Christy explained that David was giving them a tour of the cove.  After Neil’s initial recovery the Huddleston’s
moved to the MacNeill’s cabin for privacy.

 

As Dr. Davis entered the kitchen he knew immediately his patient was alright.

 

“There is no need to raise your voice to me Neil MacNeill.  I will not allow your office to be attached to our home.  You will
perform more then surgery.  I do not what our children exposed to germs unnecessarily.” Said Christy in her defense.

 

“Alright you, two enough." The doctor offered.  “I can hear plenty of this at home with my own wife.”

 

“Dr. Davis, I’m sorry I thought we were alone.” replied Christy.

 

“My name is William and now that Neil is well on the road to recovery I hope you will look at me as a friend not just a
doctor.”

 

“Of course.” She said happily.

 

“Neil, I presume by your ability to aggravate your wife that you are feeling much better.  Let’s go in the parlor for an exam.”

 

Neil glanced at Christy.  She knew their discussion was not over as they went into the next room.  Neil’s wounds healed nicely
and after his sutures were removed Neil tried to get up.  He felt a small amount of abdominal pain.  The patient in him winced
but the doctor in him knew it was normal.  Still he couldn’t help but notice the fear in his wife’s eyes.  “I’m fine love. 
Everything is normal. I assure you.”

 

William was quite impressed with Christy’s ability to care for Neil’s wound.  He then insisted on examining her.  She marveled
at the sound of her baby’s heart beat.  Suddenly the baby moved and Christy felt it.  The baby wasn’t big enough fro any one
else to feel but she knew immediately.  Suddenly her pregnancy became real to her, no longer was it an abstract idea.

 

Neil noticed the change in her instantly.  He knew in that moment she had become a mom. And loved not the idea of their
child but loved their child.  At that instant he realized he too loved their child.  In a few months they would be parents.  Christy
was right; they would need to protect this child and all of their children from not only disease but feuding.  He clearly saw that
in order to protect his family the clinic should not be near his cabin.  Perhaps Dr. Ferrand would allow it on mission property. 
He could picture a free standing building off away from the main buildings.

 

Dr. Davis continued through the cove visiting patients.  He left telling the MacNeills to both take it easy and not to rush
anything.  He suggested staying at the mission three more days and to solicit help for work at the cabin.

 

Neil and Christy discussed expanding the cabin and building a free standing building on the mission property either way, Neil
would not be away as often.  They enjoyed planning for the future and discussing the baby for the first time they weren’t
talking about the past or present, they were talking about the future.

 

The End