Title: The Wrong Choice Author: Jovonna Rose McGuire jorose@ravennaoutpouring.org Part/Chapter: 1 Summery: This starts at the end of the CBS series. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. Christy is looking at the ring that David had just given her. The one he had saved up to buy just for her. Then she looked at Neil. What exactly was he doing here? Maybe he was wondering what I wanted. “What are you doing here, Neil?” I asked. He got off his horse and came over to me, “Was there something you wanted, Christy? I seen you at my house and you just rode off…” I glanced back and David who has waiting for my answer, “Oh, I am sorry for bothering you. I was just coming to ask if you wanted to tell the children another story on their heritage.” “Is that all? I thought someone might have been ill.” When I didn’t comment he added, “I would be delighted to tell the children more about our heritage. When will you need me?” “Tomorrow will be fine. Now if you’ll excuse me?” I said turning back to the schoolhouse. “Yes, I will see you tomorrow then.” Neil said as he mounted back up on Charlie. My thoughts were so loud I didn’t hear Neil leave. ‘David deserves an answer. This ring is so beautiful, he must have spent a lot on it.’ I looked at David and I seen the children on the schoolhouse steps watching. “David, I think we need to talk after school.” His face fell. “I will finish up with school today, thanks David.” I turned and went up the steps of the schoolhouse, and put the ring box in my pocket. “Back to your seats children.” I said going up to my desk and sitting down. My thought were whirling I didn’t know what to think of Margaret in Neil’s arms. ‘Why had I run off? I told her to go to him and she did!’ I scolded myself. I straightened the papers on my desk and then looked up to see the children watching me. “It’s time for a the spelling test.” Groans filled the air. When the children were dismissed I sighed, ‘Now I must give David my answer. But I don’t know what my answer is yet.’ I went back to my desk and I heard David’s footsteps coming in the schoolhouse. “Christy?” I looked at him. ‘Why can’t he wait for my answer? Why does he need one now?’ I grabbed my bag and headed to David. “Yes?” “I need to know, Christy. I deserve to know.” He said taking my hand. I looked into his eyes, “I know, David, but the truth is I don’t know.” “How can you not know Christy? All this time…” David shook his head as we started down the schoolhouse steps and towards the mission. “David, I came here because I wanted to do something, to help. At first I didn’t think I could and I almost went back home, but Miss Alice stopped me. She asked me if I was running away from home. I realized that I was, but I found a love here.” David stopped and looked at his feet, “You love Ne…” I quickly went on, “A love for the children, a love for these people, a love for this place. If I marry you then how can I know I will still be here in 2 years?” “You don’t, Christy, but we can go other places. Just think,” he said turning toward me and taking my hands, we could go Wyoming, or Europe!” When he seen my sad face he added, “Christy, where you want to be; I want to be with you.” I looked up at him, “If you really love me, David, you would wait for me, wouldn’t you?” “Yes,” he said kissing my hands, “I will wait as long as it takes.” “DINNER IS READY!” Ruby Mae called. David and I hurried inside. Neil went back home feeling like a fool. ‘I thought Christy had better sense! Surely she must know how I feel. Like that day she pretended not to hear me when I said, ‘“I’m going to Low Gap for a few days will you miss me?”’ Neil smiled to himself. “Neil!” a voice interrupted his thoughts. ‘Ugh, Margaret! How could I have excepted Christy to come running in my arms when she knows I am married!’ “Neil I am so glad I found you! John was just over here, he was looking for you, and he said Fairlight was really sick!” Neil kicked his horse and took off, leaving a very upset Margaret behind. I should have seen that he loved, Christy. I never should have come back here, but I didn’t know what else to do. Margaret sat down and sobbed. Zady was pacing back and forth outside and with all the children were outside. When Zady seen Neil she hurried over, “I am glad you’re here, Doc. Mom is real bad off.” Neil went inside and hurried over to Fairlight’s side, where Jeb was sitting, one look at her and he knew, but he examined her to make sure that his suspicions were right. Meanwhile John went to the mission in search of Doctor MacNeill. “DOCTOR!! DOCTOR MACNEILL!!!” Jeb shouted when he came closer to the mission. Part/Chapter: 2 Summery: Christy put David on hold (about the proposal) until she knows she loves him. Someone in the Spencer house falls sick. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. “What is it John?” said David as he ran out of the mission. “Is the doc here?” said John as he stopped running and tried to catch his breath. “No, he left a while ago.” David said, “Is there…” “What’s wrong?” I interrupted. “It’s ma.” David ran off towards Dan’s. “She hasn’t been feeling well. I need to get back to her.” And then he turned and ran off. I hurried to the barn and saddled Prince. Ruby Mae was there, “Lordy, Miz Christy! What are you aimin’ to do? You can’t just rightly go over thar you might get sick too! And I can’t rightly live with that!” “Ruby Mae, I am going. Fairlight is my friend and I don’t care if I get sick or not!” I mounted Prince and rode off leaving a bewildered Ruby Mae. David went to Dan’s place and they both went to the Spencer’s, and they were there before Christy was. “David, you can’t come in!” Dr. MacNeill thundered from inside of the cabin, “You need to get back to the mission and keep everyone away from here. I have quarantined this house.” “Quarantined? Why…” Dan said. “Fairlight has Typhoid, and the best thing all of you can do now is stay away from here and keep others from here. I don’t want an epidemic on my hands!” Christy rode up and tied up Prince while saying, “Is she okay? Doctor MacNeill, is Fairlight okay?!” Neil sighed and said, “Christy, Fairlight has Typhoid, and you can’t come in. She should be fine…” “Should be! That’s not good enough for me Doctor! I am coming in weather you like it or not!” Christy said as she came up to the door and tried to get in. David came up to the door and started to help, “I’m coming in too, Doctor!” Fairlight groaned from the bed, and Neil knew he needed help. “Alright! But before you come in I need someone to go and tell Miss Alice, and I need you to go to my house,” He stopped and took a deep breath, “to tell Margaret I won’t be home for a while.” He walked away from the door. Christy, David, and Dan looked at each other, “I can’t go,” Dan said, “People here still haven’t accepted me and Doctor MacNeill may need my help.” David and Dan looked at Christy, “But she’s my friend I have to be here with her.” David said, “I’ll go.” He took one last look at Christy mounted Prince and took off to Neil’s cabin. Dan and Christy came in and went to Fairlight’s bedside. “Oh, Christy. I was pinin’ for ya somethin’ fierce. I feel like I am dyin’. Am I dyin’ Doc?” Fairlight asked Neil as she started to cough. “No Fairlight, you aren’t going to die.” Neil said helping her lie back down. Christy looked at her friend and she never felt more scared Fairlight looked so sick. David put a comforting arm around her. “How can I help?” Dan asked Neil. David got to Neil’s cabin and hurried inside all while yelling, “Margaret! Margaret!” When she didn’t answer he went inside and looked around Neil’s house and when he couldn’t find her he left a note for her and hurried off to the mission. When he got there all he could find was Ruby Mae and she didn’t know where Miss Alice was, so he grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a note to Miss Alice telling her what happened and said to Ruby Mae, “Find Miss Alice and give this note to her, and hurry up!” David took off on Prince leaving a confused Ruby Mae, but she hurried and did as she was asked. Ruby Mae found Miss Alice in the church praying she didn’t want to disturb her, but she knew that the message was urgent so she went over to her, “Miz Alice! The preacher jest sent me to find ya! Here,” she gave Miss Alice the note and she read it, “Somethin’ bad musta happened. First John came lookin’ for the Doc, but he wasn’t here and he said…” “That is enough Ruby Mae.” Miss Alice said getting up, “Right now we need to pray for the Spencer’s, and we do not need to tell everyone in the Cove, do you understand?” Miss Alice looked sternly at Ruby Mae. “Yes, Miss Alice. I didn’t mean no harm, really I didn’t. I was jest repeatin’…” “I know Ruby Mae. Now go on back to the mission.” Ruby Mae left and Miss Alice. Miss Alice kept praying as she headed to the barn to saddle up her horse and head to the Spencer’s. When Ruby Mae went into the mission she saw Margaret standing in the parlor. “I hollered, but no one answered. Do you know where Christy is?” Ruby Mae started to tell her then stopped, because she remembered what Miss Alice told her, “I can’t rightly say.” “Okay then, do you know where anyone is?” Margaret said. “Of course I do! Why Miss Alice be in the church, but I don’t think she be thar anymore, and I reckon most folks be at thar home; being dinner time and all.” “Thanks Ruby Mae.” Margaret said as she hurried off in the opposite direction of the church headed straight for the Spencer’s. Part/Chapter: 3 Summery: Fairlight has Typhoid. Margaret went in search of Christy. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. “What I don’t get is how she got it in the first place.” Neil said, “She keeps her cabin clean, and she is careful about the water they drink. Unless… Jeb did Fairlight eat food from somewhere other then here?” “Well a couple of days ago I reckon, she was at the Holt’s vistin’. She might have ate somethin’ thar.” “Was she the only one who went?” Neil asked. “No, Zady she went too.” Jeb said. “Zady, did your ma eat somthin’ at the Holt’s?” “Yes, um, she did.” Zady said from the corner where all the children were. “But I didn’t eat anythin’, cause my stomach was sore.” “Humm…” Neil said as he scrunched up his face in thought. After a while he looked up at Dan, “Do you think you can handle things here for a while? I need to go check on the Holt’s.” “Yes, I believe I can.” Dan said. “Okay, now make sure no one touches any feces or anything like that. Keep these compresses on her and try to keep her fever down.” Dan moved over to take Neil’s place, “Okay I will.” “And Christy,” Neil said turning to me and lowered his voice, “try to keep the children calm and see if you can get them to sleep.” I looked over at the frightened children still huddled in the corner of the room some were silently crying. I went right over to them and tried to help them. I heard a horse ride up and I knew it was David, and I inwardly was relived. I needed him to be here with me right now. Neil opened the door and there he stood he looked right over at me, and my heart leapt for joy. David came in the house and Neil said, “Did you find Miss Alice?” “No,” David said tearing his eyes from my face to look at Neil, “Ruby Mae went to find her.” Neil groaned, but as he did we heard a voice calling, “Neil? Neil?” Neil tore out the door and went to Margaret who was coming closer and closer to the Spencer cabin. “Margaret, stay away from here! Fairlight has Typhoid. Go back home, we will talk later.” Margaret had stopped walking to the house and listened to Neil when he finished speaking she opened her mouth to say something when they heard an approaching horse. “Neil!” Miss Alice hollered, and when she did Margaret turned and hurried away. Neil was glad she was doing what he told her and he said, “Miss Alice please don’t come any further. I need you to do me a favor.” Miss Alice stopped her mount, “Can you go check on the Holt’s for me and see if any of them have any symptoms of Typhoid?” “Typhoid? Are thee sure that this is what it is?” “Yes, now please hurry. If they don’t have any symptoms then come back here, but if they do stay there. If you don’t return in 2 hours I will send Dan to come and help you.” “Alright.” Miss Alice said as she turned her mount and rode on. Neil mounted up on Charlie and hurried to his cabin to get supplies. Margaret had made it back home just before the sun completely set. ‘What am I going to do now?’ she went over and sat down on a chair putting her head into her hands and let the tears fall. When Neil came up to the house he heard crying he went in the house to see Margaret sitting in the dark with her hands to her face sobbing. And his heart wrenched. ‘How could I do this to her? What am I saying! How can she do this to me?!’ He went over and lit a lamp, “Mac?” Margaret said wiping her face up. “What are you doing here? I thought that…” “I am just here for some supplies.” He said walking towards the laboratory. He unlocked the door and went in and started to gather supplies. “Mac? You kept my trunk?” Margaret asked kneeling down beside a trunk marked MHM. She opened it up and was looking at the very dress Christy wore that day she feel in the river. Neil was doing his best to control his anger, “Of course I kept the stupid thing! You were my wife! I have been thinking about giving it away or burning it…” “Neil,” Margaret’s soft voice interrupted, “I’m still your wife.” He turned to her then anger swelling up threatening to come out when he seen her there with the dress in her hands and the ring on her finger and the anger just left him. ‘She’s right she still is my wife.’ Meanwhile Miss Alice arrived at the Holt’s to find almost every one of them sick and lying in bed or on the floors of the house. Jake and Vella were the only ones who weren’t sick, but they did have some of the symptoms. “Miz Alice, thank God ya came. I feel like I am going to die.” Rebecca Holt* said. Miss Alice looked her over and sure enough she had a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. ‘Typhoid. Looks like we have an epidemic on our hands.’ Part/Chapter: 4 Summery: Margaret shows up at the Spencer’s and Neil tells her to go home. Margaret and Neil talk. Miss Alice finds the Holt’s sick. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. I got all the children to sleep and in bed. Jeb was still sitting by Fairlight holding her hand, and I could see the love in his eyes and that he wishes he could take away the pain that she was having. I looked over at David who was reading the Bible to Fairlight. ‘Does he ever look at me like that?’ He looked up at me that moment as if reading my thoughts and smiled. ‘Yes, he does.’ I smiled back. I walked over to Dan and said, “Can I take over for a while?” He nodded and I took the cloth from his hand and put it on her head. “I need to get some clean water for you Miss Christy.” Dan said as he took the basin away to refill it. Dan came back a short while later with fresh water and a clean rag for me to use. “Thank you, Dan.” I said taking the wet cloth from Dan’s hand. It seemed like hours before Neil showed up, “Is Miss Alice back yet?” He said. “No we haven’t seen her,” I said. “I really think you all need to go home and get some rest. Fairlight will be just fine. Besides I might need you later on, and I could use you more if you were well rested.” Neil said to all of us. “Dan, I will still need you here. I have to go check on Miss Alice. Meanwhile David, Christy, you need to go back to the mission.” David got up and said, “Neil’s right Christy let’s go.” I looked at Fairlight, “She’ll be fine Miss Christy. Go home and get some rest.” Dan said. “All right,” I said as I went out the door with David, and Neil. When Neil reached the Holt’s he wasn’t prepared for what he saw. He walked in the door and seen Miss Alice hurrying from one person to the next trying to get everyone comfortable. “Oh Neil! Thank God you’re here. I couldn’t send Jake or Vella to get you, because it’s dark…” “Everyone of them got it?” Neil went over to look at Ozias, and Rebecca. “Yes, Neil, all of them have it. Vella and Jake have some of the symptoms, but they are fine right now. As thee can see.” Neil glanced over and Vella and Jake playing silently in the room. “Well Alice it looks like we have a epidemic, and we sure are going to be busy.” Neil started to check over the patients. “We are going to need help. I sent Christy and David home to rest. I will send someone over there in the morning to get them. First, though, we need to get this house clean.” So Neil rolled up his sleeves and went to work. I didn’t know I was so tired until half way back to the mission. I rested my head against David and closed my eyes and listened to his heart beating. Meanwhile David was thinking, ‘Oh God, these people are you’re people. Why do they have to go through these kinds of things? I just don’t understand. Fairlight is one of the most precious people in this Cove, and Christy… why does she have to see her friend like this?’ They had finally reached the mission David reined in his horse. “Christy? Christy?” he silently called. When she didn’t move he slowly got down and plucked her off the horse and carried her to her room. He laid her on the bed and took of her shoes and covered her up. He wanted desperately to kiss her, but he didn’t want to wake her. So he just left the room and went to his bunkhouse. Miss Alice and Neil worked steadily through out the night, cleaning, and trying to get the Holt’s better. Dan was very busy attending to the Spencer’s. Fairlight’s condition worsened as the night raged on, and Dan feared the worse. He prayed and prayed not only for the Spencer’s, but also for Neil, Miss Alice, David and most of all Miss Christy. As the sun began to come up over the mountain peaks, Christy woke up thinking it was going to be a beautiful day. ‘It’s so lovely out today, and the birds are singing. Fairlight has to be better!’ I quickly got dressed and ready to head to the Spencer’s. As I headed down stairs I could hear Ruby Mae cooking in the kitchen and David talking to her. “Good mornin’ Miz Christy!” Ruby Mae said. David turned to look at me, “Morning Christy.” He smiled; my heart skipped a beat. “Good morning, everyone!” I said as I went to a chair and sat down, “what’s for breakfast, Ruby Mae?” “Well it jest be Oatmeal this mornin’ Miz Christy. I heard about what happened and I know that ya’ll be leavin’ early this mornin’, cause you want to go help the sick folk and all. So I decided to make somethin’ quick like so you can hurry and get to Fairlight…” Ruby Mae said. Ruby Mae kept right on talking, but I really didn’t pay any attention to what she said all I could think of was this dream I had. “I’d be leavin’ the Cove now, Miz Christy. You make sure my Jeb takes good care of our youngin’s and love them for me, will ya Miz Christy?” “Fairlight you can’t leave! The children need you and Jeb needs you, but most of all I need you!” I clung to her. “I am sorry Miz Christy, but God said I am comin’ home soon to be with him.” Her face brightened at the thought, “Jeb and the children can make it without me, and you” her face saddened, “I will miss ya Miz Christy, I surly will, but I have to go. Tell the my family I love them.” Part/Chapter: 5 Summery: Neil goes to the Holt’s and helps Miss Alice. Fairlight’s condition gets worse and Christy had a dream. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. Margaret woke up in a sour mood. ‘Neil still hasn’t returned. Or he didn’t come to bed.’ She hurried out the room and looked everywhere for him, but he wasn’t home. She took a deep breath and started breakfast. After she ate she looked over some of Neil’s books, ‘What is Typhoid anyways?’ she thought. After finding information about and reading it she sighed, ‘No wonder Neil hasn’t been back.’ So she went to her trunk and started rummaging through it, finding a book she sat down and began reading. Neil and Miss Alice worked through out the night and Rebecca’s fever broke, as did Zacharias, and Becky’s. Then Jake and Vella woke up and they both had it, but it was a mild case. “Alice do you think you can take over for a few wee hours?” Neil asked. “I need to check on Fairlight, and I will send someone over to help you.” “Yes, that will be fine Neil. I think Ozias is getting better and so is Will, but please do hurry.” Miss Alice said tending to Vella. “I will.” Neil said before he rushed off to the Spencer’s. When he got there he hurried inside, only to find a Jeb and Dan trying their best to help Fairlight who looked even worse then she did last night. “Thank God you’re here Doc. Fairlight has gotten worse and I think she has Pneumonia.” Dan said backing away for Neil to get through. Neil looked her over while Dan, Jeb and the children watched. “Your prognoses is right Dan.” he looked wistfully at Jeb, “She has gone into a coma.” Jeb looked at Neil is horror, “She’s not going to die is she Doc?” Neil looked away, “She can’t die! She can’t leave me and these little ones!” Jeb moved closer to Fairlight and started to talk to her. Neil heard crying and looked behind him to see John holding on to Zady and the children. They were all crying except John. Neil looked at Dan, “I need to speak with you outside.” Dan didn’t know what to think he did all he could, and he was afraid Fairlight was dying because of him. He followed Neil outside. “I did everything I could do. I didn’t…” “I know,” Neil interrupted. “There was nothing you could do.” “She isn’t going to make it is she?” Dan asked. Neil looked at him, and silently shook his head no. “I need to stay here now, but Miss Alice is alone with the Holt’s and most of them are sick others are recovering. I need you to go get David and Christy. Someone needs to go help Miss Alice, I don’t want her working herself sick, and you look like you could use some rest too.” “I can work another few hours.” Dan said. “I can stay here…” “No, I need you to go to the…”Neil stopped, “No that won’t work either. Why don’t you just go home and get some rest?” “HELLO!!!” David bellowed. Dan and David turned to see David and Christy coming towards them on Prince. Neil turned back to Dan, “If I need you I will send for you. Right now all you can to is get some rest.” Dan sighed and turned to go, “Good night, Miss Christy, David.” He said before leaving. “Has he been here all night?” Christy said as David helped her from the horse. “Yes he has.” “Fairlight is okay right? That’s what you told me last night.” Christy’s eyes bored into his very soul. “I’m afraid… I…” Neil took a deep breath, “Fairlight is very sick. She has Pneumonia, and it doesn’t look good.” Christy rushed passed Neil and into the house. She stopped as soon as she saw Fairlight tears streamed down her face and she turned and ran back out the door passed Neil and David, and to Lookout point where she sat down and cried. “Why God, why?” Christy said over and over as she sobbed. Neil wanted to go after her, but David stopped him, “She needs to be alone right now, Doctor. She is hurting and she needs to pour out her soul to God. You are the last person who can help her right now. Right now the Spencer’s need us, and I think is would be wise to stay here, don’t you agree?” Neil turned and went inside with David close at his heels. Miss Alice was getting really tired and she didn’t feel good herself. Many times she had to force her thoughts away from the odor and the sickness around her. She made soup and fed them all, and then sat down and prayed as they slept. As she was praying she ignored her headache, and the pains in her stomach not wanting to believe what she feared most. Dan knew he should have gone home, but he felt the need to go and check on Miss Alice. She wasn’t that far away so he headed for the Holt’s. He called out, and Miss Alice went outside to greet him. “How are thee doing?” She said grabbing his hands warmly. “I am fine, but you don’t look so good.” “Oh I am fine. Did thee come to help me?” Miss Alice asked questionly. “Neil told me to go home and get some rest. Fairlight has pneumonia, and it doesn’t look to good, but I came to check on you. You look like you need more rest…” Dan stopped and looked at Miss Alice, “You have it don’t you?” “Nonsense.” Miss Alice began, “I am just tired that’s all.” Dan shook his head, “No Miss Alice you have it. I can see the rash on your neck just like what Fairlight has.” Her eyes widened, “Who’s going to help these people now?” “I guess I will.” “But they haven’t excepted you…” “I know Miss Alice, but if they don’t they will die.” Part/Chapter: 6 Summery: Margaret learns what Typhoid is, and Christy goes to see Fairlight and gets upset. Miss Alice comes down with Typhoid. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. Neil and David did all they could but Fairlight died not long after David seen her. No one could believe that she was gone and as David stayed to comfort the family Neil left to find me. He found me on top of a hill over looking the whole Cove and I was crying. He went over and sat down beside me. I looked up, “She’s gone isn’t she?” At Neil’s nod I cried even more. Neil awkwardly handed me his handkerchief and put his arm around me. I wiped my nose and drew closer to him and just cried. After a while I stopped and pulled myself together, “Thank you, Neil. I would like to go see... go see…” I drew in a deep breath; “I would like to go back to the Spencer’s now. They need me.” Neil stood up and offered me his hand, and I took it and we left the beautiful hill and headed to the Spencer’s. Margaret threw down the book she was reading. ‘That was a stupid ending. Why did I ever pick up that old book anyways?! I knew how it ended!’ She had fixed herself a sandwich while she was still reading and now her stomach growled. So she quickly fixed something to eat. “HULLOOO!!! ANYONE HOME???” A voice hollered. Margaret went to the window and looked out to see a small boy with blond hair. She hurried over to open the door, “What can I do to help you?” The boy froze in his tracks. “Can I help you with something?” “You be Miz Doc?” the little boy asked. “I am Doctor MacNeill’s wife if that’s what you mean.” Margaret said as she stepped out onto the porch. All of the sudden the boy seemed to come alive, “My name is Sam Houston. But that don’t matter right now. You have to come quick! Miss Alice be real sick. Won’t ya come?” Margaret bounded down the steps and grabbed Sam Houston’s hand and they hurried off to the Holt’s. Neil left as soon as he got Christy to the Spencer’s and headed for the Holt’s. He was surprised to see Dan there, but when he seen Miss Alice he didn’t get mad. “Alice you need to go home and rest.” She opened her mouth to protest, “Doctors orders.” Dan took her back to the mission and Ruby Mae stayed with her. Dan had to stop by the Spencer’s and get someone to help Neil at the Holt’s. He called out and David came out, “Doctor MacNeill sent me here. Miss Alice is sick and he needs someone to help him at the Holt’s.” “Does she have Typhoid?” David asked. “Yes, she does.” Christy came out the door saying, “I’ll help. Tell me where to go and I will go.” David looked at her, “Christy I don’t want you to get sick too.” “I know David, but it can’t be helped right now. I am going to go help Doctor MacNeill. You can help Miss Alice, and Dan you should get some rest. David can I take Prince?” Christy said. David sighed, “Alright, I will let you go, and you can take Prince, but be careful.” He said to Christy’s already retreating back. “Women.” David said rolling his eyes. Dan said nothing only headed home for a nice long rest and David went back to the mission. “Where is she?” Margaret asked Sam Houston as they trampled on. “She be at the Holt’s for a while now. They be sick, but most of them are over it. Only they have to be careful what they eat, cause if they…” “I know. If they eat solid food they could die.” Margaret said. “How you be knowing that, Miz Doc?” Sam Houston asked. “I read about it in a book Mac has. And Sam…” “Generally call me Sam Houston ma’am.” “Sam Houston, please call me Margaret.” “Okay, that would be the cabin over yonder.” Sam Houston said pointing, “HELLO!!!” Neil was cleaning up his hands when he heard, “HELLO!!!” ‘Who could that be?’ he wondered. He hurried to the door to find Sam Houston, but that’s not what stopped him, it was who was with him. “Margaret.” “Hello Mac.” Margaret’s soft voice said. Part/Chapter: 7 Summery: Fairlight died, and Neil found Christy and comforted her. Sam Houston found Margaret and brought him to the Holt’s where Neil was working. Miss Alice and David go back to the mission and Christy goes to help Neil. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. “Miss Alice, you don’t look powerful well. You just lay down and I will fix you some soup! I know how much you like that!” Ruby Mae said with a mischievous smile. Sure enough Ruby Mae came back with a bowl of steaming soup, “I know you don’t feel much like eatin’, but Doc MacNeill said you have to eat somethin’ . Please?” At Ruby Mae’s look Miss Alice finally gave in and ate the soup as Ruby Mae continued to chatter on. When Miss Alice was finished with her soup she sent Ruby Mae out to do the laundry, while she laid down and slept. “What are you doing here?” Neil said to Margaret. “I heard my mother is sick, so I came to see her. Sam Houston here came and got me.” Margaret said looking down at the little boy. “Go on now Sam Houston, you need to be with your family. Miss Alice is being taken care of.” “Well I didn’t know you was here Doc. All I seen was that color fella, and he told me to get someone to help. No one was home at the mission house ‘cept Ruby Mae, so I went to your house thinkin’ you was there. But you wasn ’t so I brought Miz Doc, opps! I mean Margaret. I didn’t know who else to get.” Sam Houston said. “Well thanks Sam Houston, go on home now.” Neil watched Sam Houston until he was out of sight before he turned to Margaret only to find that she wasn’ t standing by him anymore. He went inside and seen Margaret sitting beside Vella. “It’s okay. Doctor MacNeill will fix you up and you will be able to go back to school.” Margaret said as she touched Vella’s little cheek. Neil was so stunned by the affection she was showing the little girl he didn’t hear a horse ride up. “Neil?” I said as I came in. I stopped and looked at Margaret. Neil turned to look at me. “What are you doing here?” “Well I came to help, but if you don’t need it then…” “Oh no, I need it. I just. Oh never mind. Can you look on Jake over there?” Neil said pointing in the direction Jake was laying. I nodded and headed off in that direction taking my eyes off Margaret. After a few moments I looked over to where Margaret was and found she and Neil had left. “Alice is at the mission. If you want to go see here then I suggest you go, we have already lost one person to this and I don’t know..… no.” Neil said mentally shaking himself. “I don’t want you to get sick, the best thing for you to do is to go home.” “I’m already dying Neil so it makes no difference. And exactly where is home?” When Neil didn’t answer she continued on, “Or is it that you want to be here with Christy and not me? Is that it?” Neil still didn’t answer, “I’m going to see my mother.” And at that Margaret turned and walked off. Neil watched her retreating back wishing that he could have told her that he didn’t care about Christy, but knowing he could not. He turned and went back inside. When he seen Christy sitting there telling a story to little Jake, Vella he wanted to cry. She seemed so happy even though her best friend just died, so at peace. She turned and looked at him and he turned and walked over to check up on Wraight. Ozias wanted to get out of bed and get back to work, but Neil wouldn’t let him. He kept fighting him until Neil finally let him get out of bed. Ozias couldn’t even get out of the bed, so he laid back down and didn’t say another word. Rebecca wanted to help her children get better and since she only had a mild case she was able to help us somewhat. But as soon as she couldn’t handle it anymore she would go back to bed. Margaret hurried to the mission and went upstairs were Ruby Mae told her Miss Alice sleeping. She stopped at the door not knowing if her mother could ever forgive her for the things she had done, but she couldn’t leave without seeing if she was all right. She opened the door quietly and peaked her head in only to find that her mother was no longer sleeping. David paced the floor. He knew Christy was with Neil and that he should trust her and he did. He just didn’t trust Neil. He knew that Christy was vulnerable right now, and he wanted to be with her. So he sat down and started to pray not knowing what else to do. Dan went home, but he couldn’t sleep. His cabin was burnt down and didn’t feel welcomed here. “I just want to go home.” He said out loud, “Why should I stay here, God, why? No one wants me here.” And he sat down and cried. Little did he know Birds-Eye was sitting behind some trees and heard the whole thing. Part/Chapter: 8 Summery: Miss Alice gets rest at the mission and Margaret helps Neil at the Holt’s. Christy came to help Neil, and Margaret went to see Miss Alice. Dan went home where Birds-Eye is lurking. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. “Mother,” Margaret said as she stepped into the room. “I didn’t know you were awake or I wouldn’t have disturbed you. I can go if you’d like.” “No, please stay.” Miss Alice replied. Margaret went over to her mother’s bedside and when she seen how awful she looked she choked back the tears. “Why have thee come to see me?” “I heard you where ill, and…” Margaret burst into tears, “I am so sorry! Will you ever forgive me?” “I forgive thee,” Miss Alice said trying to sit up, but only ending up in a coughing fit. Margaret helped her though it. “Thank you, Margaret.” “What can I do to help you, Mother?” “Well there isn’t anything you can really do. Except… will you read to me?” Miss Alice said. “I love hearing your voice.” “Yes.” Margaret picked up a book on Miss Alice’s nightstand, “Do you want me to read this one?” “That’s the Bible.” “I know, Mother.” And Margaret opened it up and started to read at Psalms 1. Typhoid hit the Cove and David, Christy, Neil, Dan, Ruby Mae, and even Margaret were busy helping everyone. Miss Alice got well within a few days so she went right back to work. Zady was the only one out of the Spencer’s who didn’t get sick, but she stuck in there and helped everyone through it. Dealing (along with the whole Cove) the death of Fairlight. Margaret began coming to church when she realized she almost lost the most precious thing in the world to her. She got saved the second week she went, “I have run away from the very thing that was trying to save me.” She said, “And now I’m home.” Everyone could tell the difference in her, even Neil. Fairlight was the only one who died until one day David got sick… “Christy!” Margaret shook me. “Humm??” I murmured. “Christy wake up! David is sick!” When she said that my eyes flew up and I jumped out of bed and grabbed my robe. “Neil is with him now, but it looks like he has it.” Margaret said looking at my sympathetically. I hurried over to his bunkhouse and knocked. “Come in,” Neil said. I opened the door and hurried in. “Is he going to be alright?” I asked Neil as I looked at David. “I can’t say for sure, Christy you know that.” Neil said. I looked at him confused. ‘He sure has been cranky lately.’ I took the cloth and started to wipe his brow. “You go on, I can take care of David. I know there are many more people that you need to see. If he gets any worse, I will send someone to get you.” Margaret watched the look on Neil’s face as he looked at her. ‘What does he see in her? What do I have to do?’ A voice inside of her said, ‘Ask him for forgiveness, and keep loving him.’ Margaret smiled, ‘I’ll do that.’ Neil turned and looked at her, “What are you smiling about?” “Oh nothing,” she said and turned and walked out the door, and Neil followed her, but instead of going inside like he usually did, he mounted Charlie and rode off. I spent days with David trying desperately to save him and crying out to God to do so. “Oh God, I will leave with him if he wants, just bring him back to me. I can’t lose him!” I cried and cried. Margaret had come to the door to give me something to eat, and when she heard me crying she stopped and looked in the window. It was then she thought she had nothing to worry about anymore. She went in and gave me the food and put a reassuring squeeze on my shoulder before she left. I somehow was comforted by Margaret’s presence, and I began to feel peace. I laid my head down on the bed as I sat in the chair and I soon fell into a deep dreamless sleep. I woke hours later to a voice. “How long has she been sleeping like that?” “I don’t know.” Came another softer voice. “She has been by our side since you were sick and she refused to leave, this is the first time I seen her sleep.” A hand reached out and stroked my hair, “Let her sleep then.” “Okay. Do you need anything?” “No. Thank you, Margaret, I’m just fine.” Then I didn’t hear anymore. Part/Chapter: 9 Summery: Miss Alice forgives Margaret, and Margaret reads the Bible to her, and after a while got saved. Meanwhile Typhoid hits the cove and David gets sick. Margaret helps Christy when David is sick. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. Margaret looked over the mountain peaks and breathed in the fresh mountain air. ‘How could I ever not like this place? It is so beautiful.’ She leaned back against a tree, and closed her eyes. “What are you doing here?” a voice startled here. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” Neil said as he sat down beside her. “Beautiful isn’t it?” Margaret shook her head yes, “I can’t believe that all the time I was here and I never seen this place.” “That is because you never want to go anywhere.” Neil retorted. “Neil,” Margaret said looking at him, “I’m sorry. I never should have did things I did, but I can’t take them back now, I’m sorry.” She hung her head. “Then why did you ever come back? I want to know!” Neil said raising his voice. “I was a free man, and now you came back and hurt me all over again, why?” “You weren’t a free man, Neil.” Margaret said softly, “I don’t know why I came back really, maybe it was for mother, or Christy, maybe it was for you. I don’t know, but I’m not sorry I came. I am sorry for ever hurting you. Will you… will you ever forgive me, Neil?” Neil didn’t say anything, and so they just sat in silence for a long time. Then Neil got up and mounted Charlie and rode off. “Well God, I asked him, and I know you’re proud of me. It’s up to him now.” Then Margaret once again relaxed and watched the sun set. Meanwhile Dan was feeling bad for hunting down Birds-Eye so he went to find him. After looking for him for days, he came across him lying on the ground burning with fever. The closest place was the mission so he put him on his horse and took him to the mission. Dan seen Charlie there and Neil mounting up on him. “Neil!” he shouted, “NEIL!” He shouted louder. Neil came towards him, “What’s wrong Dan?” “It’s Birds-Eye. He’s got Typhoid, and he is really sick.” “Bring him to the mission,” Neil said as he spurred his mount back to the mission. By the time Dan got there Neil was already having Christy and Margaret get this prepared. Then he helped Dan take Birds-Eye inside. Dan and Neil worked on Birds-Eye until Neil finally said to Dan, “There is nothing more we can do for him.” Dan was quiet for a moment then hurried to the door and opened it, “David, Miss Christy, Miss Alice!!!” We were there within minutes. “What’s wrong? He didn’t die did he?” I asked. “No,” Dan said. “Remember that day, Christy, when Fairlight didn’t believe Creed was dead and we all prayed for him?” I nodded and so did David, “Neil said there is nothing else we can do for Birds-Eye, but I think there is. Will you all join me and pray for him?” “Of course!” Miss Alice said and we agreed. Margaret had followed us up and I pulled her along. We had become very close in the last few days, and she reminded me of Fairlight sometimes, with her simple childlike faith. We all reached over and put our hands on Birds-Eye and prayed, even Margaret! Neil just stood at the door and watched. While we were praying a voice came out from the blankets, “Are you prayin’ for me?” It was Birds-Eye! We all looked at each other amazed. Miss Alice was the first to say, “Yes we were. Yes we were.” I looked over at Neil, but he had left. I looked at Margaret and she looked at me with a very sad expression. Then she looked back at Birds-Eye, as did I. Dan was there and he said, “Birds-Eye I sure am sorry that I hunted you down that day. I was so sure it was you, I’m really sorry.” Birds-Eye didn’t say anything, and Miss Alice interrupted the silence, “I think that we should leave Birds-Eye to get some sleep.” We all filed out of the room, and Birds-Eye didn’t fall asleep very quickly. Over the next few days there wasn’t a new people getting sick which was a relief to all of us. Margaret, Miss Alice, and I slept most of the time, while David went and visited with Birds-Eye and the Spencer’s. He told us one day that Jeb wasn’t doing to well, and he was taking it pretty hard, so I decided to go and visit him. I walked over and I got there and called out my usual greeting. John was chopping firewood, and the children were doing other chores. “Where is Jeb?” I asked John. “He’s inside where he’s almost always been since mama died.” John replied. I hurried inside, to see what John meant, and sure enough there sat Jeb on the chair next to their bed looking at the spot Fairlight had been. “Jeb,” I said. He didn’t even acknowledge my presence. “I came here to tell you something I dreamt.” When he still didn’t look at me I plunged ahead, “The night Fairlight got sick, the day before she… passed away, I had a dream. This is how it went; she was standing at the gazbo and I was standing there with her and she said, ‘“I’d be leavin’ the Cove now, Miz Christy. You make sure my Jeb takes good care of our youngin’s and love them for me, will ya Miz Christy?”’ I said, ‘“Fairlight you can’t leave! The children need you and Jeb needs you, but most of all I need you!”’ and I clung to her. She removed my arms from her and went on, ‘“I am sorry Miz Christy, but God said I am comin’ home soon to be with him.”’ And her face brightened when she said that, then she went on to say, ‘“Jeb and the children can make it without me, and you, I will miss ya Miz Christy, I surly will, but I have to go. Tell the my family I love them.”’ Then I woke up crying. Feeling like I lost my best and only friend.” Jeb had looked at me when I was talking to him, and tears streamed down both of our faces. “I want you to know I will love your children as if they were mine, just like she told me to.” Jeb broke down crying, “Thank you Miss Christy. I needed to hear that, but if you don’t mind I would like to be alone right now.” I turned and left saying good-bye to the children, and loving them like I promised I would. Part/Chapter: 10 Summery: Margaret asks Neil to forgive her. Dan finds Birds-Eye burning with fever, he almost dies, but God saves his life. Dan asks him for forgiveness. Jeb is still mourning Fairlight and Christy tells him about her dream, and loves the children. Disclaimer: All rights of Catherine Marshall's "Christy" belong to the Marshall~ LeSourd family. I in no way, want to hurt anyone with this story; this is simply to make people laugh, cry and feel swoony! ;) This is just one way I think the CBS series should end. Christy will live in the hearts and minds of fans forever. Sunday came around and EVERYONE it seemed came to church, even Birds-Eye was there. The only person that I knew that didn’t show up was Neil. Margaret watched and waited for Neil to show up, but he never did. Jeb was there looking a lot better then he did when I visited him. He waved to me from across the room and I went over and hugged all the children and shook John’s hand. I seen Bessie beside him and I was glad everything was patched up between the two of them. When David asked if anyone wanted to get saved Birds-Eye jumped right up and headed to the alter, as did Lundy and many others. I could see how happy David was, and I was happy about it too. When the day ended and everyone was at home and in bed, I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk and to my surprise I seen Neil sitting in the gazebo talking. I didn’t see anyone else, so I went closer and tried to listen. “I know you saved Birds-Eye’s life God, because he couldn’t have made it though unless you did something. But why would you save someone like him, and not someone like Fairlight? She was loving and caring.” I could hear him crying. Then I seen Margaret walk up and sit beside him, and I knew she would help him, so I silently stole away. I was almost back to the mission when I heard “Psssttt…pssssttt….” I looked around, “Over here by the garden.” It was David. I looked but I couldn’t see him. I slowly walked over there. “David,” I said when I finally seen him, “What are you doing?” “I couldn’t sleep all I could think of was you.” I smiled and he pulled me into his arms. It felt so comfortable; so right to be there. “David?” “Yes, Christy?” I looked up to him, “I know now, and my answer is yes.” His whole face light up and he opened his mouth and I quickly covered it with my hand. “Shhh!!! People are trying to sleep.” I could feel his face smile underneath my hand and I removed it. He pulled me closer and kissed me full on the lips. We pulled away breathless, “I love you, Christy.” David said as we just held on to each other. “I love you too.” Meanwhile (let’s sneak a peak at Neil and Margaret!)… Margaret put her arm around Neil, and for once he didn’t pull away at her touch. “Neil, I can help you if you want me to.” “Margaret I have been such a stupid fool. Just think if I accept this God I could pray for them and many more could live! But I just keep running away from him. I just don’t understand how a God so loving can let people like Fairlight die. How can he?” he looked at Margaret. “I am a new Christian myself, Neil, I don’t know how to answer that question. But I think that God had some sort of plan in mind. Did you hear about Christy’s dream?” Neil shook his head no so she went on, “Then let me tell you. The night Fairlight got sick, the day before she died, Christy had a dream, and this is how it went; Fairlight was standing here at this gazebo and Christy was standing here with her and she said, ‘“I’d be leavin’ the Cove now, Miz Christy. You make sure my Jeb takes good care of our youngin’s and love them for me, will ya Miz Christy?”’ She replied, ‘“Fairlight you can’t leave! The children need you and Jeb needs you, but most of all I need you!”’ and she held on to her. She removed Christy’s arms from her and went on, ‘“I am sorry Miz Christy, but God said I am comin’ home soon to be with him.”’ And her face brightened when she had said that, then she went on to say, ‘“Jeb and the children can make it without me, and you, I will miss ya Miz Christy, I surly will, but I have to go. Tell my family I love them.”’ Then Christy woke up crying. Feeling like she lost her best and only friend. But the truth is she gained a friend, me. Humm… I bet she never thought that would happen, I know I didn ’t, and you know what, Neil? I know why you like her like you do. But if you think about it she’s a lot like me.” Margaret reached over and touched Neil’ s curls stood up and began to leave. “Margaret.” Neil’s voice softly called her, “Please come back. I need you.” Margaret was quickly at his side not believing what she just heard. “How do I ask God to come in to my heart?” Tears streamed down Margaret’s face as she led Neil into a prayer of repentance. After the prayer was over Neil said, “Thank you, Margaret.” “Margaret,” Neil said grabbing a hold of her hand, “I forgive you, but will you forgive me?” “Oh yes, Neil!” Margaret said and Neil pulled her into a passionate kiss, one Margaret had been waiting for, for a long time. Christy and Margaret stayed friends and had many children, and Neil was glad that he didn’t make the wrong choice. The End (for David Fans) (For all the Neil people scroll down!) If you're a David fan this is a WARNING! Don't read anymore! LAST WARNING DAVID FANS!! DON'T READ!!! Then Christy woke up and realized (much to her relief!) that it was all a bad dream! She rolled over and looked at her sleeping husband with his curly hair, and she put her hand on her swollen belly and sighed, ‘I’m glad I didn ’t make the wrong choice!’ Now it’s THE END! ;)