Author's Note: "Fiftieth Anniversary" was the first
fanfic I ever wrote. From this very first story came
"The MacNeill's" and it grew like topsy. I have reached
a point in writing where all of the children have either
met their future spouses or married them. I have neither
the time nor the inclination to pursue their individual
stories any further. Christy and Neil have become almost
ancillary characters, and this was not my intention. So I
end this particular saga with a vignette from the fiftieth
anniversary party for Neil and Christy MacNeill. I hope
that you all have enjoyed reading about these characters
as much as I have enjoyed writing about them. It's been
a great experience for me.

Title: "The MacNeill's" {Conclusion}   "The Family Tree"

..................................................................................................

Christy was trying to fill out the genealogy of their
family. Her children were not being very cooperative,
which was a typical MacNeill reaction when they'd rather be
doing something else. Since they were all gathered for the
anniversary, she had made lists, and wanted her children
to check them to make sure she had not made mistakes. She
had raised six wonderful, loving, complicated and complex
children. Children, ha! They were all adults now, married
with children and even some grandchildren of their own to
boot. But they would always be her babies, no matter how
old they got to be. She could never have overseen their
growth and development without the strong and loving
support of her beloved curmudgeon of a husband, Neil.

Ned had married his beloved Emily Murchison. He'd had
the shock of his life when he realized her father and
grandfather were his professors at Jefferson. They had
three children, Neil Edward Duncan Jr., Catriona and
Alexander. Ned Jr. had married Marianne, and they had a
baby, Neil Edward Duncan III.

Catherine had married Luke Parker. They had four children;
John, Julia, Peter and Matthew. John was married to
Samantha, and they had a baby daughter, Christine Alice.

Charlie had married Fiona MacDougal. Their children were
David, Charles Jr. and Josiah. David had married Elizabeth,
who was carrying her first child.

Ian had married Sarah Scott. Their children were Alexander,
Mary Catherine and Maureen Rose. Sean had married Jean
Scott. They had identical twin sons Kyle and William,
Elizabeth and Christine Julia. Christy and Neil felt
justice had been served with Sean having twins.

Last but not least, Amelia had married Geoffrey
Grantland. Raising their own children David, Edward
and Ruth Ann, as well as their godchildren James and
Seth. Geoffrey's sister Ruth and her husband Michael
were killed in an automobile accident. As godparents and
guardians, Amelia and Geoffrey took in the two boys and
made them their own. As far as Amy was concerned she had
five children. Forget the three as a biological factor. The
two boys were theirs, and they loved them for it. It was
unfortunate that the two could not be here at the party,
they were spending time with their father's parents. Neil
and Christy never made a distinction, as far as they
were concerned the boys were two more grandsons. David
and Miranda were grateful that their grandsons had such
loving parents.

Neil watched his beloved wife. She was fussing so about
her genealogy project. She heard Neil laughing. She was
preoccupied with lists. Then feeling silly, at one point
she walked behind where Neil was sitting and put her
arms around his neck. She kissed him on the cheek. He'd
been watching over this magnificent brood of children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren. "This is our legacy,
Lass." She smiled, waiting for him to continue. "Come here
and sit."

"I'm too heavy, Neil."

"You're like a dandelion puff, as you were when you
first wore Margaret's lavender dress, Christy. I'm still
strong enough to hold you on my lap." She giggled, and
complied. She sighed and tucked her head into the crook
of his neck as she had done countless times before. He
kissed her temple. "So here we are, fifty years later. Do
you think we've silenced the critics who didn't think it
would ever work?"

"Most of them are dead, Neil."

"Too right, Lass," he said laughing. She joined in, seeing
the irony of it all.

Ned turned when he heard their chortles. "Look at them," he
said to Charlie. "They're just as I remember them growing
up. Momma would sit in Poppa's lap and talk and laugh. He'd
sneak a kiss. She'd push at him, he'd sneak another kiss
and the next thing you'd know he would pick her up and
carry her into their bedroom and close the door."

Charlie laughed with Ned. "We're both lucky. We inherited
our parents' wisdom and followed our hearts. I cannot
imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have Fiona."

"Or my Emily," returned Ned. "Excuse me for a moment,
Charlie." Ned turned at walked towards his wife. He took
her hand and kissed it, back first, then on the palm. It
was a gesture he had seen his father perform thousands
of times to his mother. He in turn did likewise to Emily
throughout their marriage. "Thank you my sweet for all
your hard work. It's been a beautiful day and another
wonderful memory to treasure."

Emily smiled. "Catherine did a lot of the work, Ned."

"I know, love, but you also carried quite a bit of the
responsibility. My parents are truly enjoying the day."

"Ned they are remarkable people. What they've seen in
their lifetime is amazing when you think of it."

"I know Em. It really had been a time of great change. The
automobile, airplane, electricity, telephone, radio,
television, jets, computers. Not to mention the Great
Depression, countless wars, rockets, atomic bombs, a space
program and talk of walking on the moon. I can't take it
all in, how can they?"

"Ned, they are extraordinary, a rare breed. This world
will not see the likes of them again, and we will be poorer
for it. Every day we have with them is a gift."

"I know, Em, I know. I cannot imagine what life will be
like without them."

"Let's not be morbid, Ned. They are both in good health."

"I know, but I worry about them."

"Of course you do, darling. They've had a full life. Let's
not write them off yet, Ned."

"Are you kidding? Poppa would be the first one to knock
me out cold at the thought," he said laughing.

Catherine joined them. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing really. We're just watching Momma and Poppa."

Cat gazed toward their parents. "Do you think he's going
to pick her up?"

Charlie joined them. "What's the joke?"

"Look at Momma and Poppa cooing at each other," said Ned.

"Don't go there," said Charlie, laughing. "In all my life I
have never seen two people so in tune with one another. Why
is that?"

"It's true love," said Catherine. "True love and devotion
for one another. Love tempered in fire and in faith. Who
are we to question it? We are the fruit of their love for
one another. Love is the answer, love is the key."

"Their story should be told, Catherine."

"I know Charlie. Momma told me that I could read her
journals."

"What's the problem then, Catherine?" asked Ned.

"Well to be quite honest, I'm not sure what to do. I don't
want her to think about the future. We'll be left behind
without them," Cat answered solemnly. "And truthfully,
dear brother, I don't know if I will or can be strong
enough to face that fact. They have been so rock solid
and such a source of strength in our lives. How will we
carry on without them?"

Charlie answered her. "It is because of their faith and
their love for one another that we will be able to carry
on, Catherine. But they are still here, Cat. Treasure every
day we have with them. Tell yourself and your children to
say the things that need to be said, share the memories
that need to be shared and ask the questions to which
only they will know the answers. Catherine nodded to her
brothers and sister-in-law.

Christy looked at the conclave of their children. "Neil,
what do you think they are saying?"

"They're wondering whether or not I'm going to pick you
up and carry you inside the house."

"Neil!"

"Christy, it's what we invariably did when you sat in my
lap while they were growing up."

"You silly man, whatever am I going to do with you. You
are incorrigible."

"Ah yes, sweet Lass. I am totally flummoxed by the effect
you still have on me nigh these fifty years."

"Where did the time go, Neil? Where did it go?"

"Like Ecclesiastes, Lass, we've had our share of
seasons. And I imagine we see a few more before our time
is through."

"I imagine we will, my darling Neil, I imagine we
will. Thank you for sharing this life with me."

He kissed her hand, and smiled deeply into her deep blue
eyes. "We've shared the love of a lifetime together,
Lass. Who could ask for anything more than that?" She
nodded in agreement, and the two surveyed their family
together.

The End