------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: All the usual apply Note: This story continues from the novel as opposed to the T.V. series. This is also my first fanfic, so I hope you enjoy it!=) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: "By the Lamplight" Author: Michelle W. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He did not know how long he had been sitting there, watching her by the lamplight. Neil lifted up a quiet prayer of thanks to God for another day with his beloved. "How peaceful and beautiful she is even as she sleeps!" he marveled to himself. Truly she was a treasure given to him by God Himself. Neil's thoughts drifted back to another night where he sat watching her. . . (Flashback) Five days and she had not woken up. Neil racked his brain, trying to think of some procedure, some treatment he may have missed. "Nothing. I cannot think of anything more to do for her," he stated dully to Alice as they sat by Christy's bed. "All my training, all my knowledge is about to fail someone again. . ." His voice drifted off as he stared at the kerosene lamp on the table. Miss Alice looked up from her Bible and turned to face him. "Neil, thee is not to blame for the death of Margaret and your son; or for Christy being ill," she gently reminded him. "You are right in that you have now done all you can; but there is One who is still able to do much more, if we will only ask Him." "I did ask Him once, Alice! And my wife and child still died! Why will it be any different now?!" he angrily retorted. "You know as well as I do that your son - my grandson, I remind you - was born too early; he wa simply too weak. As for Margaret - and it pains me to say this - she did not want to fight. Surely thou dost remember how sullen and withdrawn she was! She lost her will to live; and maybe it was simply her time. But God will not force His blessings on us, just as we cannot force our will upon Him." "Then what does this mean for Christy?" he implored as he unconsciously reached for Christy's hand. "It means we keep praying for her and keep reaching out to her. Christy Huddleston is stronger than you think, Neil MacNeil. Deep down you know Who has given her that strength and your love for her." Neil looked at Miss Alice in questioning amazement as a solitary tear slid down his cheek in confirmation. A soft smile crossed her lips as she gently clasped his free hand. "At times you are more transparent than you think, Neil. Go to the Lord; give your burdens to Him so He may give thee His rest. I believe it is not yet Christy's time to leave this earth; tell her what's in thine heart. . ." (end of flashback) Neil did follow Miss Alice's advice and they both heard him. Gently he kissed Christy's forehead as he offered up another heartfelt prayer of thanks. Christy sleepily opened her eyes at his kiss and smiled up at him. "Sorry, love. I did not mean to wake you," he whispered as he placed a feathery kiss on her lips. "I don't mind, for this is a lovely way to be woken," Christy murmured as she caressed his cheek. "How is Will and Ruby Mae's baby doing?" "Tim is over the worst of the influenza. In a few days he will be back to his usual rambunctious self. He sure does take after his mother!" In a more serious tone Neil added, "But it is late, Christy, and I know you need to be at the school early in the morning. Get back to sleep, lass; I'll join you shortly." With that said, he gave her another quick kiss and went over to the wash basin to get cleaned up. Christy nestled down under the covers, quite content instead to watch her husband's now bare back as he splashed water on his face. The lamplight danced over his muscular frame and his shock of reddish hair, which was again in need of a trim. But she didn't mind, for she quite enjoyed running her fingers through his hair as. . . She stopped in mid thought as she realized Neil was now looking at her. A faint blush crept up her cheeks at the intensity of his gaze (and where her thoughts had been going a moment earlier!). Would she ever quit blushing when he looked at her that way? "Perhaps we need lighter bed coverings," Neil teased as he got into bed, "as you seem a bit too warm with what we have." Christy decided to engage in a little teasing of her own: "Oh, I wouldn't blame my flushed face on the quilt, Doctor." She giggled as he arched his eyebrows in feigned surprise. "Mrs. MacNeil! Whatever are you implying?" Acting on her earlier thoughts, Christy cupped his face in her hands and kissed him slowly and softly. "Does this clear thing up?" she replied quietly. Not wanting to waste any time with mere words, Neil drew her closer. He then gave her a kiss that was so tender and so passionate, there was no doubt that he knew exactly what she meant. And so by the flickering lamplight, the two lovers continued to express their deep love for each other as the light faded into darkness. . . The End!