Chapter 36:
Adelaide dropped her head on Neil's shoulder, letting it rest there. His arms was around her, them taking in strength from each other. Telling the children had been undeniably difficult, but they had managed to do so together. They were always stronger together as a united front then they ever were apart. So many years had taught them that. Creed had left, much to Neil's chagrin, but Adelaide wasn't overly surprised. He had loved Mountie, but the child was not his. He needed space to grieve and heal. Adelaide pleaded with Neil not to think too harshly of him.
"How's the baby?" Adelaide asked, quietly, her hand on Neil's knee.
"She's doing well for being so tiny," Neil said. "Ed and Stella have her for a while, but I am not sure they are wanting it to be a permanent arrangement. With their wee one so small, I have to say, I understand. She still needs a name though."
Adelaide remained very still, but swallowed hard, "Mountie told me the name she wanted her child to have."
"Oh, what is it?" Neil asked.
"Rose."
Neil gently disentangled himself from Adelaide. "Are ye serious?"
"Yes."
Neil rubbed his forehead with his hand and let out a long sigh. "We can't take another child, Adelaide."
Adelaide's lip trembled. "Let's make it even, Neil. Three wee lads and three wee lasses. I can't give you any more children of our own blood. But Rose can complete our family. We started out family with a child that was not entirely yours and mine and he ended up very much yours and mine. Rose can make us come full circle, Neil. She can't end up with strangers."
Neil leaned his head down and buried it in his hands. "It was what I named my wee lassie with Margaret."
"I know," Adelaide leaned up to put her head on his back, him leaning over still. "I feel so strongly about this Neil."
"Do ye?" Neil turned back towards her so they could look at each other.
She nodded.
"Even if it pushes medical school back for you?"
"Timmy and Eddie are still so young, Neil, anyway. It would not truly push it back that long. What is one more added to this chaos we call our family?"
He let out a long breath then. "Tomorrow then. We'll go get our daughter."
Adelaide began to cry. "We'll get our daughter."
He wrapped her up in his arms, holding her tightly.
Adelaide gently took the baby from Stella. "Hello, sweet one," she lifted her against her chest, to breathe in her baby scent. "You are precious. Your mama gave so much to give you life. She risked so much. And we will tell you about her one day. I promise. But until then..." she met Neil's eyes.
Edward and Stella quietly slipped from the room, leaving the MacNeills to acquaint themselves with their newest addition.
Adelaide's eyes once again filled with tears, a mix of sorrow, joy and hope. "Meet your Papa, sweet Rosie." She gently shifted Rose into Neil's arms.
"Hello, wee one," Neil looked down at the sweet newborn. He let out his breath, "Your new mama was right. You are a MacNeil, not by our blood, but by our heart." He shifted the baby so he could get a better look. "Your mama is used to naming the wee ones in our family. But we are missing a middle name..."
Adelaide looked at him, tenderly, "It's your turn, my love."
"Rose Adelaide MacNeill, we will love you until our dying days," Neil kissed the baby tenderly.
Adelaide dropped her head on Neil's shoulder. "Thank you."
"It's what Mountie would have wanted." Neil said.
"Yes," Adelaide's tears fell once again. "It's what she would have wanted."
"She's so pretty, Mama," Julia said, holding her sister. Annie put her arm around Julia, snuggling with her and touching the baby's hand.
"She's like our own baby doll," Annie said. "Can we go and buy her some frilly dresses?"
"And hair bows?" Julia asked. "Lots of Ribbons?"
Neil laughed heartedly. "Aye, lassies. New dresses and hairbows for all."
"Matching, I think," Adelaide said, reaching for Neil's hand.
Simon snorted. "Ah, Mama, you do not have to encourage them." He rolled his eyes. "She is pretty though. I'm glad she is here." Simon picked up Edward, who had started to fuss. "Let's go play ball," he said. He reached out his hand for Tim, "Come on Tim." Simon looked back to his father, "Coming, Papa?"
"Aye," Neil said. "One minute."
Ruth had come into the room and was monitoring the girls with Rosie. He pulled Adelaide out of the room.
"What is it?" Adelaide laughed.
Neil kissed her soundly.
Adelaide pulled back and looked into his eyes.
"We have such a beautiful family, lass of mine." He kissed her again.
"Yes, we do," Adelaide smiled at him. "Yes, we do."
Twelve Years Later:
"I'm so sorry!" Books and papers flew in every direction, scattering across the walk in St. Andrews, Scotland.
"No, I should have been carrying them better," Annie bent down to begin to scoop them up. She looked up at the man who had bumped into her. "Do I know you?" He looked so familiar.
The man paused in his chasing of her papers. "Oh my," he grinned, "You look so very much like your mama."
Annie got the rest of her papers up and went to stand with the man, who handed them back. She frowned, trying to place him.
"I haven't seen ye since ye were a wee lassie," the man said, with a twinge of a Scottish accent.
"I'm sorry," a twinge crept on Annie's cheeks, "I can't place your voice. Are you Scottish?"
The man was clearly amused, "Nah, I have just lived here long enough that I've pick up an accent, not unlike another gentlemen we both know."
Annie's forehead creased, "Well, are you going to tell me or not?"
He extended his hand, "Creed Allen."
A wide smile broke out on Annie's face, lighting it much like a Christmas tree or a beautiful sunrise. In fact, Creed though she had to have grown up to be the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
"Creed!" She rushed into his arms. "It's so good to see you. How long has it been?"
"Twelve years. Ye were just a wee think causing all sorts of mischief for Doc MacNeill when I met ye last."
She titled her head, "I'm not sure much has changed, although, I would have to ask you which one of the Doc MacNeills you are referring to."
"Did Adelaide get her medical license?" Creed grinned.
"Oh yes, and her research is rivaling Papa's," Annie said. "She is so smart and accomplished."
The bell rang and Creed pulled out his pocket watch, "It's suppertime. Do ye want to come with me and find somethin to eat?"
Annie nodded, "I'd love that. But don't you have some place to be?"
He shook his head, "I'm not married, Annie. It's not scandalous for you to go out with me."
Annie blushed, "Very well then. Let's go."
Creed gestured for her to go ahead.
"I'm so pleased to see ye."
She couldn't help but smile again, "Me as well. i have so much to tell you!"
"And I can't wait to hear all about it," Creed said, smiling in turn.
Annie's heart twisted and she couldn't help but believe that this meet was providence. And it turned out that it was.
A/N: So, it's been three years. Shameful. To be honest, while I love this story, things have been so busy and chaotic for me that it was easier to write angst than happy. But last night around midnight as I was adding bits and pieces to other chapters of other stories, I took a stab at it once again, trying to wrap up the pieces. So, here's a very short update. I might go back and write oneshots of scenes that took place in these 12 years (and create a story of one shot scenes) I might continue Adelaide and Neil's story through Creed and Annie's (because will Papa be all that pleased that Annie falls for Creed when he is so much older and abandoned the child that Neil thinks is Creed?). Thoughts?