Title: "Something to Celebrate" Author: Rebecca B. "Something to Celebrate" "Children, children, please settle down." Christy raised her voice just enough to get the children's attention. "I know that you are all very excited about Dr. McNeil's visit today, but if you don't calm down he may decided to turn around and go home." Christy really didn't believe that Neil would leave, but she had to find a way to get the children to quiet down. In all truth, she was just as excited as they were. She was afraid that their excitement might rub off on her and cause her to behave unbecomingly. It had been nearly a month since she had seen Neil. It was nearly two months ago that David had proposed to her and she had rejected his second offer. She new that her heart belonged to Neil, even though she could not have him. David had taken the news with a bit of anger, and though he was beginning to become the friend she once knew, he still was not the old David Grantland. She had only seen Neil twice after that day; the first time after Ruby Mae had badly cut her hand on a possum trap and Dr. McNeil was needed to stitch it, the second after Margaret left. Margaret stayed at the cabin. Neal took care of her medical needs but he rarely stayed home. Often, he would work late with Dan Scott, just to have a reason to come home late. It only took one means of escape for Margaret to leave and she did so without looking back. Christy heard rumors that Margaret had run off to meet Mr. Harland again. It seems that he had opened a small stage production somewhere and wanted Margaret for his main attraction. Shortly after she left, Neil received a package in the mail. The contents of the package were known only to Neil and Miss Alice, for he shared the letter with her. After hearing the news Miss Alice went off on a retreat for a full week. Neil left the mission and Christy had not seen him since, though she had hoped that with Christmas coming he would at least stop by the mission to wish them a happy holiday. She had sent word with Dan that she needed a science lesson today. She had only hoped that Neil would come instead of sending Dan again. Neil McNeil entered the school room with all of his apparatus. He set his experiment up on a small table at the front of the room and soon the children were all gathered around him, transfixed by what he was doing. Christy too was transfixed by Neil. She was not half as interested in the experiment as the children were. She soon found her mind wandering as she stared at the man she new in her heart. She was recalling a time they spent together by the river and something that Neil had said to her. He had said something about beauty and the river, something about the beauty he found at the river at that moment…. Now it was clear to her. He was talking about her. Could it be that Neil loved her too? If only she could remember exactly what he had said. She had been so caught up in the sunlight on Neil's hair. "Isn’t that right Miss Huddleston?" Neal asked. "Oh yes, Neil…. I mean Dr. McNeil." The children all giggled. Oh how is it that she always managed to embarrass herself around him. She had once again gotten so caught up in him that she had not heard what he said. Not only had she not heard him, she had called him Neil in front of the children. She could feel her face growing redder as they stood looking at her. Thankfully Neil got back into his experiment and the children once again became engrossed in it. Only Ruby Mae's gaze had emained on her and the occassional glance from Dr. McNeil. As soon as Dr. McNeil finished his demonstration Christy dismissed the children. Dr. McNeil always presented last in the day. The children were never able to concentrate on dull school work after he had been there. She erased the chalkboards and straightened the room. Neil seemed to be taking a long time packing up. She walked toward him to see if she could offer some help. "You seemed a bit preoccupied today Miss Huddleston. Are you feeling well?" "Yes Doctor, I feel fine. How have you been lately? We haven't seen you at the mission for quite a while now." Neil just nodded as Christy began packing up the smaller items from his table. "It seems that you've had a lot on your mind lately Neil. If you ever feel like you need a friend to talk to, I'll be here for you." Christy peeked from under her eyelashes to catch his reaction. As they finished packing they both headed to the front of the school. Neal graciously held Christy's coat as she slipped her arms into it. After bundling up Neil reached to open the school house door. They had both been so preoccupied with what they were doing that they hadn't noticed the snow falling outside. By the looks of things, it was a blizzard. There was already about 4 inches of snow on the ground. "Well Miss Huddleston, it looks as though you and I are stuck here for a wee bit." Neil chuckled. "It's a good thing you let the children go early. If you hadn't, some of them would surely have been caught out in this storm." "How long do you think the storm will last, Neil?" "By the looks of things, it could be through the night, if not longer." "Dr. McNeil, you and I cannot stay here all night together! We can't spend the night here alone!" Christy's shock was clearly registered on her face. "I'm afraid we have no choice, Christy. We would surely be lost even by trying to reach the mission house right now. Here we are safe and warm. I'll wager the storm will let up by mornings light. By then I am sure that the Reverand will come to fetch you. I'm actually quite surprised he did not appear earlier." "What are you trying to say doctor?" "Nothing, just that it seems your fiance is always keeping a watchful eye on you, especially where I am concerned. He knew I was coming today. I was surprised not to find him here when I arrived." "I'm sorry, but you are mistaken. I thought you knew that I turned down David's proposal. He no longer entertains thoughts of marrying me, at least I hope. In fact, he has just recently started speaking to me again. I don't understand why it should be any concern of yours doctor. " Christy defended. She didn't bother attacking the statements about Neil being there. They both knew that he was right. "I didn't mean to put you on the defensive, Christy. I hadn't realized that you were so upset about the whole thing. So, you didn't accept the Reverend's proposal? Why?" "I don't know. I suppose it's because I don't love him like a wife should. I do love David. I love him dearly, only like a dear brother, not a husband. I think that he deserves more than that. He deserves a wife who could be devoted to him entirely. My life is here in the cove with these people, my people, now. David doesn't want to stay here and I'm not sure I will ever want to leave." "Do you mean that, Christy? Are you sure that you would want to stay here and endure the hunger and the plaques of the mountain people, not to mention the fueding?" Without hesitation Christy responded, "I love these people. They are all so unique in their own way. Sure, some are more special to me than others" she added. Christy slowly peeked up to catch Neil's response to her last sentence. His heart nearly melted. Did she know what she did to him? She must, to look at him through her dark lashes with those big blue eyes, she must know that he loved her. "How could she know", Neil thought to himself, "I've never told her so much." He couldn't tell her. Was it too soon to tell her now? "These people love you too, Christy, more than you know," and that was all he said. He stood and added a few more coals to the fire. If they were to be here all night, he might as well make her warm and comfortable. He walked back to Christy and helped her out of her coat. "We might as well settle in," he said as he hung Her coat on the rack. "You wouldn't happen to have any blankets would you?" She nodded and walked to the blanket box in the corner of the room. She always kept a few extra blankets in case one of the children got sick and needed to lie down. "I have to go out and turn Charlie loose. He'll find his way to the mission barn. If I leave him tied up there he will surely freeze to death. " Neil braced himself as he headed back towards the door. "Neil," Christy hollered, "please take my scarf. You can tie it around your hat to keep it on your head. It will also keep your ears and neck warm." "Thank you." Neil gently wrapped the scarf around his hat and turned back toward the door. He breathed in deeply and his heart beat a little faster. The scarf smelled like Christy. Christy tried to watch as Neil loosed Charlie's reins from the post, but the snow was so blinding that she could barely see the porch and steps. Within a few minutes Neil was safely back inside. She led him over to the fire where she had arranged a two chairs. " I hold no hope of us getting out of here tonight. The snow was nearly up to my knees, Christy." She nodded, but she didn’t feel quite so anxious to leave anymore. Dr. McNeil was, after all, her friend. An evening spent with him could be entertaining as well as pleasurable. "Do you have any plans for the Christmas, Dr. McNeil?" Christy asked. She was trying to steer her thoughts away from the sentimental. "No, Miss Huddleston, I have no special plans for the holidays this year. I usually stop by to have supper with Aunt Hattie on Christmas Eve, but that's my only tradition. What about you? Are you planning to join your family this Christmas?" "No, I will be remaining in the cove. I'm looking forward to the Christmas singing. I'll miss my family though, and I regret that we wont have a Christmas tree this year. I so love waking up on Christmas morning to a sparkling, candlelit tree. I wonder why the cove people don't share that tradition? I guess perhaps there is no room for a tree in their tiny cabins." "I think it varies on the family. My mother always had a tree for Christmas, though it was a small one. She usually sent me out to chop it down. " Neil paused, "I remember the year I accidentally brought home a tree with a baby hawk in it. My father nearly blew a hole through the floor trying to shoot it. The little thing was more scared of us than we were of him. I cornered it in the kitchen and gently picked it up and took it outside. It tried to peck me, but it was too little to get a good reach. My mother always said I had a calming effect on animals." Neil actually blushed a little at the final sentence. He hadn't meant to tell her so much of the story. He had just gotten lost in his remembering. He looked at Christy and noticed that her eyes were softly gazing at him. "You've never said much about your family before. Of course usually when we talk we are fighting. Why do you think that is, Neil?" "Truthfully, you and I are both a bit stubborn, Christy. We neither one like to be wrong, but at least we can appreciate other peoples opinions and suggestions," he said with a shrug. "It's not that I like to fight and argue with you, much the opposite. But you do look really pretty when your mad." Now it was Christy's turn to blush. "Dr. McNeil!" she exclaimed. "Come now, Christy, we do well debating one another, you must admit. Though we don't always agree we do not differ much on the important things." Christy thought a minute, "Only on God", she said. "Of course, that is the most important thing of all." Christy looked at him solemnly. "Christy, you and I do differ a bit on God. I was raised to be a Christian. During my youth I was touched by so much pain and hardship that I pushed God out of my life. I know, deep inside me, that there is a God. I am not all powerful, as I would like to believe. I have foresaken God and not the other way around. I began to see this a few weeks ago. Alice and I had a long talk. She is helping to lead me back into the arms of God. It will be a long and arduous journey, but eventually I will be the God fearing Christian man that my mother would have dreamed me to be. As a matter of fact, you can look for me in church on Sunday. That is if I'm not still stuck in here anyway." Neil laughed a bit. "So you are finding God?" Christy asked. "I am so happy, Neil. That is the one true thing that I would wish for you. To be happy with God. I think that you, of all people, deserve some happiness." "Why me?" Neil asked. "Well, because you have been through so much, but you are still able to give. You pull together for the people of the cove in such a way that one would think you were a true Christian at heart." "That I was, I just chose not to see it." "Perhaps it will help you to find peace in all areas of your life," Christy apprehensively suggested. "Perhaps finding peace with God will lead you to peace with Margaret too." "I'm afraid it's too late for that, Christy." "Neil, you cannot hold a grudge against her and call yourself a true Christian. Gods law is to forgive and forget," Christy chastised. "No Christy, I mean it in another way. I received a package in the mail. I thought you knew. I was sure that the gossip mill of Cutter Gap had surely spread back to you by now. Margaret is dead, Christy. She probably would have been pleased with the ending. Her lifestyle had always demanded mystery and intrigue. It seems that Mr. Harland's show put her in the spotlight and in the heart of many adoring fans. It seems that Mr. Harland had a change of heart. He couldn't share her with all of those patrons, and in a fit of rage he killed her for sharing a drink and flirting with a man in the audience." "Oh, Neil. I'm so sorry. To die in such a fashion." Tears were streaming down her face. "Poor Alice. She must be heartbroken." "I'm sure she is hurt. Honestly though, Margaret was dead to Alice and I long ago. This just brings total closure on it for the two of us." "I wish that I could have comforted her though, and you Neil. You must have needed someone to talk to." "Alice and I comforted each other, Christy. I could not have come to you. I needed someone with a connection to the feelings I was having, both for Margaret and for you." Neil looked up at Christy. "I love you, Christy, but I couldn't tell you that before. I couldn't bring that shame upon you. Now there is no longer Margaret, and I am free to love you. Though in the eyes of the community I would not have mourned her death long enough. So still I am stuck to watch from afar as the Reverend Grantland tries to woo you. I would not bring shame to your name by courting you so freshly after Margaret's death. What would your mother and father think? Besides, how do I know what you feel in your heart. I may be just a blundering old fool thinking that you could love me too." "Neil, I do love you, more than I wanted to admit. Fairlight helped me to see it. I came to your cabin that day by the river to tell you, but you were with Margaret. I had encouraged her to fight for you, and I thought that she had won. I love you, Neil McNeil. You are in my dreams. As for the people of the cove and my mother and father, they all know what you have been through with Margaret. They know you did not love her or she you and that you had not been truly her husband for many years. Let them think what they like, but I for one would like to see more of you at the mission house." Neil leaned over and slowly kissed Christy's forehead and then her lips. Her heart raced. "Neil, we should not be doing this here." "You're right my love. I will rope my heart for now. Perhaps we had best settle in for the night." Neil spread the blankets out on the floor as close to the fire as was safe, and as close to each other as was decent. He and Christy rolled up their coats for pillows and after saying their goodnights dosed off to sleep. It was a deep, happy sleep for Christy. She dreamt of Neil and the day they would marry. Neil slept lightly as usually. He rose several times to stoke the fire to keep Christy warm. The next morning they were awakened by the front doors opening and the cold wind blowing in. David and Miss Alice stood in the doorway; David with a look of disbelief and Miss Alice with a mixed look, somewhat relief and somewhat pleasure. "Well, we are glad to see thee safe Miss Huddleston. We were quite worried about you last night, though it appears that you were in capable hands. " Miss Alice's smile spread across her face as though she knew their secret. "Yes, we are glad you are safe, Christy," is all that David could manage to say. "Well, I guess this means that our vigil is over Miss Huddleston," Neil said casually. "It would appears so, Doctor," Christy said as she smiled up at him. They tidied up the schoolroom and bundled up for their trek into the snow. There would be no school today for the snow was a little over knee deep. The children could not possible make it in such weather. Neil accompanied the party back to the mission house and went inside for a warm breakfast and coffee. Miss Alice informed him that Charlie was in their barn and had been fed and well taken care of. He soon excused himself to make his rounds for the day. "Goodbye Reverend Grantland, Christy, Miss Alice," he said as he nodded his head. "I'll accompany you outside Neil," said Miss Alice, "I have a few things to talk over with you." As they left the room David began to bombard Christy with questions, "What did you and the good doctor do all night, Christy?" he said in an accusatory tone. "We talked and we slept, David. What did you think we did? It's not as if we had much choice. Would you rather the two of us headed out in the storm to be frozen? Besides, I don’t see where it's any business of yours to accuse me or the good doctor of anything!" "The good doctor is it!" David said. After seeing the hurt in Christy's eyes he was instantly sorry. "I didn't mean to hurt you Christy." "I know David, just as I never meant to hurt you. I'm sorry for you David, sorry that I don't love you the way you want. But, you must know, that I do love Dr. McNeil." With that Christy turned and headed up to her room. David was left standing in the kitchen trying to find inner strength. He knew it was coming, but he hadn't expected it to be announced so boldly. "Neil," said Alice, "I know that you think you should be in mourning, but I don't think that anyone in this or any other community would hold you to tradition. Margaret did so many things wrong to both you and I. We should get on with our lives as they should be, as they would have been had she truly died all those years ago. I know that Margaret was my daughter, but I love Christy just as much. I know that the two of you love each other, whether you admit it or not. If you will only admit it to her your life can be happy and full again." With that she kissed him on the cheek and went back inside the mission house. "Well," Neil thought to himself, "it seems that everyone knows me better than myself." The next few weeks passed quickly, with Neil visiting the mission as often as time allowed. Christmas was only two days away. After Sunday services they were having the singing. Christy was so anxious to dance with Neil. She would not be seeing him again until the dance. He had to run into the city o pick up some supplies that he needed, but promised to be back in time for the Christmas service. She had knitted him a warm scarf in her spare time. It would do nicely to keep his ears warm. She had also asked her father to pick up a nice new Bible and have Neil's name printed on it. Her father had always suspected her feeling for the Doctor and was quite pleased despite the difference in their ages. The people of the cove seemed to take well to the idea of the school teacher and the doctor being in love. The men jokingly prodded Neil and accused him of coming to church only to please Christy, but they all new that he was a true Christian. Fairlight was nearly giddy when Christy had told her of the night they spent together snowed in at the school. Fairlight only wanted her friend to be happy, but she had always had a soft heart for Neil, he was like a brother to her. Christmas day arrived with a new layer of snow. Christy worried that Neil would not make it back in time for the service or the singing. Though if it meant his safety, she would rather he not try. The service was beautiful, and passed with no sign of Neil. As Christy rose to leave, she saw Neil sneaking out of the back of the church. It had to be Neil, she would know that unruly hair anywhere. "Why had he snuck in and left without saying hello?" she wondered. As the families filed out of the church and down the front steps each person seemed to stop in their tracks. Soon the whispers and giggles could be heard at the front of the church where Christy stood with Miss Alice and David. They all headed toward the door to see what the commotion was. There in the middle of the school yard, brightly decorated and lit with candles, stood a huge, perfectly shaped Christmas tree. At the top of the tree stood a beautiful angel with chestnut hair and brilliant blue eyes. Christy couldn't believe her eyes. She looked around for Neil in the crowd of people. Her eyes settled not upon Neil, but the family beside him. It was her family. The one thing her Christmas was lacking and Neil had brought it to her. "Mother!" she cried. "Daddy!" She ran to greet them and hugged them with all her might. Neil stood smiling. She looked at him lovingly. "I knew that you missed your family, Christy and well, I just could have you feeling homesick today. Besides, I knew that your mother wouldn't want to miss this." Neil bent down in the soft snow and took a small box from his coat pocket. "Christy, I love you!" he said as held her hand. "I know that you and I were made for each other. You are to me a gift from God, the greatest, most wonderful present anyone has ever given to me. I am hoping that this Christmas you will give me an even greater gift and agree to be my wife." With that Neil opened the box and displayed a beautiful diamond ring. Christy bent down on her knees and took Neil's hands. "I love you my dearest Neil. I would be the happiest woman in the world to live my life with you." All of the bystanders whooped and hollered. Jeb Spencer yelled out, "Now we really have something to celebrate!" Christy looked at her mother and, as if she understood her unspoken request, her mother nodded her head. Christy looked at Neil and then at David. David too nodded. The two rose from their knees and Christy spoke to the people of the cove. "I suspect that most of you have know before we did, but Neil and I have just recently realized our love for one another. It has been a long time in the making. I do not wish to waste another day of our precious lives without Neil by my side. Will you all please return to the church? Neil, I would like to marry you today. I love you so, I want to be your wife from this day forward." With Fairlight and Jeb by their sides, Christy and Neil pledged eternal love for one another. So it was that Christy Rudd Huddleston McNeil spent the rest of her days in the cove with the people and the man that she loved. The End!