Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's "Christy" is owned by the Marshall and LeSourd families. This is just for fun. Note: Lynda and Sherry, who have roots in New Jersey, have written this story. Sweet Memories Chapter One "Warm Hearts" Doctor Neil MacNeill stood at the door to his cabin. He looked at the lacy curtains on the windows as he wiped his snow caked boots on the rope mat in front of the door. Neil chuckled to himself as he thought about all the changes his wife had made in the cabin. Delicate white lacy curtains that reminded the doctor of his wife's wedding dress were the first change. The curtains were followed by Christy's neat, orderly touches everywhere: the table with a bowl of green apples upon it, the tidy piles of medical journals, and, best of all, the sweet smells, starting with Christy's very own rosy aroma. Neil couldn't wait to see his wife. He had been in Low Gap for two very long days and nights. Neil opened the door and Christy ran into his arms. The doctor pulled his wife close, inhaled her flowery fragrance and kissed her thoroughly. A few minutes later, Neil removed his winter jacket and threw it down on a chair near the fireplace. "Did you miss me, Mrs. MacNeill?" Neil asked, smiling at his wife. "Very much." Christy answered, as she lead Neil to the stove. She took a cake out ot the stove, and sat the pan on top of the stove. Neil stood behind his wife, his hands on her waist, his lips nuzzling her neck. "Smells sweet." Neil announced. "The cake?" asked Christy. "The cake... and my wife, too." said Neil. "I missed you, Christy." "Oh, Neil." Christy swooned, as Neil gazed into her deep blue eyes for a few minutes. Christy looked at her husband. "When I was away from you... at night... I closed my eyes and thought about the first time you told me that you loved me. When I couldn't sleep, I remembered the night you accepted my marriage proposal... and the memories kept me warm, lass." Neil said softly. SWEET MEMORIES Chapter 2 "Answered Prayers" Christy smiled lovingly at her husband. She had missed him, too. She said a quick prayer, thanking G-d for bringing her husband safely home on such a cold, snowy night. She glanced beyond her lacy curtains to the snow that fell in sheets outside their cabin. "Come and have some stew, Neil." Christy offered, taking her husband's arm and leading him to the table. Soon they were seated, facing each other. They graciously thanked the Lord for the good warm stew, cornbread and hot tea. Neil and Christy started to eat... but soon Neil stopped to reminisce. "You slapped me so hard that day I returned from Baltimore, lass. All I wanted was a kiss with my lass, but you had something else in mind!" Neil said. "I'm sorry." Christy said quickly. "Don't apologize, Mrs. MacNeill. It showed me that you have fire and I like fire in a woman!" Neil replied. "The stew is good, my wife. It was a long, cold ride from Low Gap." "And you deserved that slap, Neil! Kissing me like that when I... when I... ." Christy said... smiling at the memory. "Say it, lass." Neil urged softly. "I wasn't ready to listen to my heart, Neil. When we were in the cabin, when I told you that my heart never felt alive until I came to the cove, suddenly I realized that one reason my heart came alive was because of you, Neil." Christy whispered as they finished eating. Christy stood and started to clean up the kitchen. "That can wait, lass... right now I just want to hold my wife close. " Neil said. He went to Christy's side and he suddenly pulled her to him. Christy looked up into her husband's blue eyes and she kissed him on his mouth, snuggling into his embrace. Neil took his wife's hand in his and he quickly lead her up the stairs. ******************************************************* SWEET MEMORIES - CHAPTER 3 Happy Dreams Later, Christy put her head on her husband's chest and he encircled her in his strong arms. Neil kissed his wife's rosy head and he closed his eyes. He was so glad to be in his own bed and not on the hard, cold floor of the mission at Low Gap, and he was so tired that he was in a deep, dreamy sleep in minutes. Soon Christy slept contentedly in her husband's embrace. ......................... Neil sat on his porch, lost in thought. It was late afternoon and he had completed his rounds, checking in on the Holcombes' new baby and bringing some salve to the McHones' cabin for Toot's itchy ears. Neil sighed deeply; all day his busyness kept him from thinking about his lass, but now he had to face his fears. Would he lose Christy to Grantland? Had she made a decision? Was it love he had seen in Christy's eyes as they walked away from the cabin? And was it love for him? Or was it just the hope of his foolish heart? After all, Christy was still wearing Grantland's ring! Soon Neil's head was spinning with so many questions. He sat like that for a long time, lost in his thoughts. He was surprised when Christy sat down beside him. "Christy? What are you doing here?" Neil asked, momentarily confused to see her by his side. "I have a problem." Christy said. Neil looked away. He knew that he couldn't bear to see the love for another man in her eyes; he wasn't ready to give up his hopes. Finally, Neil faced Christy. "What kind of problem, lass? You know that I will do anything to help you, Christy." Neil said. "What's wrong?" "I realized riding over here that you've been my best friend since we first met. You challenge me to be a better person and you show me how to look at things I've never seen. I will always love you for that. " Christy said. "I know now why my heart came alive for the first time in my life when I came to the cove." "All I want is your happiness, Christy, even if it means that you will marry Grantland. Tell me your problem, lass. I will help you." Neil repeated. Christy slipped her arm around Neil's and she took his hand. "I want to marry my best friend but he hasn't asked me yet." Christy said as they sat hand-in-hand. "What?" Neil asked. What is she telling me, he wondered. "You said that you came back to ask me to marry you, Neil. But you never did ask me." Christy said, her eyes full of love. Suddenly Neil's heart was in his throat. Had he really heard what his heart had been praying for? His eyes filled with tears as he realized that what Christy wanted was what he had been longing for. He wanted to marry his best friend. Neil got down on one knee in front of Christy and he cleared his throat. He took Christy's hands in his and he quickly touched Christy's ring finger, finally noticing that Grantland's ring was gone. When he could finally speak, he let his heart talk to his lass. "Miss Huddleston, I can only offer you a hard life here in Cutter Gap. The winters will be colder than you can imagine and I'll often be called away. But I offer you my strong arms to hold you close and keep you warm and I do love you with everything that's within me. Will you marry me?" Neil asked. "Will you tease me and make me laugh? Will you take me fishing?" Christy asked merrily. Neil nodded, too nervous to smile at his lass. "Then my answer is yes. Yes! I will marry you, Neil!" Christy said, trying her best not to jump into his arms. All at once the emotions were too overwhelming for the Doctor and his lass to handle. Neil scooped his Christy up into his arms and he lovingly kissed her. Tears of joy filled their eyes as they sat on the steps and watched the stars smiling down on them from the heavens. ................................. Before the sun came up, Christy stirred in her husband's arms. She looked out the window at the snow covered branches. She knew that soon there would be new buds on the trees. Husband and wife pulled each other close as could be- safe, warm, and loved in the cold winter night. THE END ***************************************************************