Disclaimer: The characters, words and stories of "Christy" are owned by the Marshall and LeSourd families. This is just for fun. Title: "IT'S THE DANCE, MRS. MACNEILL" Author: Sherry "IT'S THE DANCE, MRS. MACNEILL" Chapter one Neil bounced the baby on his knee. The baby boy, his eyes dark as chocolate, smiled and drooled at the doctor. The two of them laughed happily. Neil held the baby's chubby, dark hands in his own. "What a boy this is, Dan! So alert, his eyes are so bright!" Neil exclaimed as he smiled at three month old Joseph Scott. "Smart like his mama and papa, I am sure. Look how he holds his head up!" Dan looked up at his mentor. He basked in the rare words of praise from the doctor. Christy smiled at both men. It was so nice to sit and have dinner with the Scotts, whose first wedding anniversary had come and gone... the two couples too busy to have dinner together. Neil continued to hold baby Joseph. "I think Neil is giving you a message, Christy. He wants a little one of his own." Cecile said, smiling at her friends. "Tis true, Cecile." Neil admitted. Christy smiled . Then she looked at her husband. G-d hadn't given them the blessing of a baby yet. Christy knew that Neil prayed for this every day, as she did. Neil stood baby Joseph upright. "Look at this coordination! He is so strong, Dan!" Neil said, his voice full of wonder. He patted the baby's bottom. Cecile brought a warm, fragrant apple pie to the table. She cut the pie and gave pieces to Dan and Christy. She put one piece on her own plate and she put one on Neil's plate. "Neil, let me put the baby down so you can have some pie." Dan offered. "Cinnamony apple pie, my favorite, Cecile." "I can eat and play at the same time." Neil said, holding the baby on his lap and eating the pie. "Delicious, Cecile. Maybe you could give Mrs. MacNeill the recipe." he requested. The MacNeills and the Scotts passed the time eating and talking. Soon baby Joseph pulled a piece of Neil's hair and he started screaming. "Whut did I do?" Neil asked worriedly. He started patting the baby, trying to soothe the fretful boy. The baby continued to scream, despite Neil's best efforts. Cecile looked at Neil and she laughed. She stood and took her baby from the doctor. "There are some times when only Mama will do, doctor!" Cecile said as she gently put her son over her shoulder. She nodded to Christy as she left the kitchen. Christy stood and followed her friend to the bedroom. "Whut did I do wrong?" Neil asked, looking at Dan. "Nothing, doctor! That's Joseph's hungry cry. There's nothing we menfolk, as Jeb would say, can do for him. He needs his mama." Dan explained. He cut a piece of pie and put it on Neil's plate. "Can I get you some more tea? You haven't touched yours, too busy playing with my son!" Dan teased. The two men sat and enjoyed their dessert. In the bedroom, Christy watched as Cecile cradled her baby and nursed him. Christy stroked the baby's head, touching his black curls. "He's falling asleep, Cecile." she whispered. "Joseph's had a long day...all that fun with Neil got him tired out." Cecile explained. "I'll just put his nightie on him and tuck him into his cradle." The baby was tucked in and the two women returned to the kitchen. After some more talk, Neil yawned and put his arm around his wife. "Tired, Neil?" Christy asked, as Dan and Cecile Scott exchanged amused glances. Neil nodded to his wife. The MacNeills thanked the Scotts for their hospitality and they mounted Charlie the horse and headed back to their cabin. All around them nature was in Spring's bloom, buds on the trees, wildflowers abundant. Christy immediately went to tidy up their kitchen. She stood at the sink and started washing a frying pan and some plates that were there. Neil stood in back of his lass. Christy leaned back and pressed herself into his muscular chest. Neil put his arms around his wife and drew her close into his embrace. He kissed her seashell ears and the nape of her neck. "Don't yew remember, Mrs. MacNeill, it's the dance, not the frying pan!" Neil said in a husky voice. He kissed his wife's soft cheek and pulled some hairpins out of her upswept, sunstreaked brown hair. Christy laughed. She turned to face her husband, who still held her tight. "I don't hear any dancing music, Doctor." she teased. "The doctor has a remedy for that, lass." Neil whispered. He started singing a song about his "pretty little pink." "My pretty little pink, I once did think I could never do without you." Neil sang, as he waltzed Christy around the kitchen. Christy laughed happily as they whirled around the kitchen. "You should see my slow dance, Mrs. MacNeill." Neil said huskily. He began to hum a slower folksong. He held Christy close and they swayed to his music. Neil bent his head to kiss his wife several times. "What am I going to do with you, Neil MacNeill?" Christy asked, laughing happily. Neil picked his tiny wife up and he started running towards the stairs. He carried her up the stairs and he gently put her on their bed. He lay down next to Christy and pulled her close. "I have an idea...Mrs. MacNeill. I have a good idea about that!" he whispered, and then he kissed his wife thoroughly. ************************************************************* Cahpter 2 coming!