January 2003 TITLE: Perfect Match AUTHOR: ChristyP DISCLAIMER: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the Marshall- LeSourd Family, L.L.C. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement. Christy awoke early that morning. She looked over and saw her husband sleeping peacefully beside her. She started to reach over and touch his tousled hair, but didn't want to risk waking him. He must have come in from Low Gap late last night she thought. She noticed a few days of stubble on his face. He had been so busy lately. At least he had changed out of his clothes before he got into bed. Christy knew that before they were married Neil would be so exhausted sometimes that he would just lie down on his bed in the clothes he had sometimes worn for 2 or 3 days in a row. After Neil tried that once or twice in their bed, she had gently suggested to him that she preferred he change into some nightclothes before slipping under the covers with her. She enjoyed watching her husband's peaceful face a few more minutes, but not wanting to wake him she decided to do some chores before starting breakfast. Later as the smell of freshly baked biscuits wafted through the cabin, Christy heard Neil walk up behind her. "Good morning, Sleepyhead," she said as she turned around to give him a kiss. As she pulled back from him, she started to giggle. "What's so funny?" asked a still somewhat sleepy Neil. Christy tried to stop her giggles long enough to reply, but couldn't. Running his hands through his hair, Neil asked, "Is it my hair?" Christy was able to control her giggling long enough to answer, "It's not any worse than usual." "Gee thanks," Neil said with mock hurt. He moved his hand to his cheek. "Sorry I haven't shaved in a few days. Is that what's so funny? Did I tickle you with my stubble?" Continuing to giggle, Christy said, "No, but you would look better after combing your hair and shaving." "So, what's so funny? What'd I do? I don't have my nightclothes on backwards, do I?" With that question, Christy burst into another fit of giggles. Neil gave her a look of "What is wrong with you, woman?" but instead said, "Just tell me, Christy." After taking a moment to compose herself, Christy said, "It's what you're wearing." Neil looked down at his red and blue plaid shirt and his red and green smaller plaid pants. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" "Neil, you don't match at all." "There's red in both pieces and they are both plaid." "Yes, but you don't put two plaids together like that." "Well, we're not at a high society party in Asheville, Dear." "No, we're not, but even Swannie O'Teale has more fashion sense than to put those two pieces together. Were you out of matching nightclothes? Do you need me to do some laundry?" "No. There was a new moon last night so there wasn't much light in our bedroom. I didn't want to light a lamp and risk waking you since I came in so late last night. I just picked up the first two pieces I found." Christy walked over to put her arms around Neil. "Thank you for not disturbing me. You are very considerate. I should be thankful that at least you changed out of the clothes you had been wearing for a few days. How about next time you are out late, I'll lay some clothes out to make it easier for you?" "Thank you, but what would you do for your morning laughs then?" Christy's quick reply was, "There's always your hair!" The End