The Revelation ~ Early Morning Nightmare

I woke some time during the night and I was thirsty. I tried to walk as softly as I could. I didn't want to awaken Neil and have him think I was an intruder in his apartment! I tiptoed to the kitchen. I drank long and deep; the cool sweet water was just what I needed! For the first time I noticed the view out of the kitchen window. It looked interesting even in the darkness. I would have to make it a point to examine this view more closely in the daylight.

I glanced around the kitchen a little more. I had been too anxious for Neil's arrival to really enjoy any of this before. Neil had picked a lovely little apartment! It would have been a nice place for the two of us . . .? 'Hmm' I thought out loud to myself just under my breath. 'Maybe that's why he picked it out in the first place . . . Well, if he did pick it out for me as well as himself he did an excellent job, because I loved it!!'

There was a sound coming from the other room, it sounded as if someone was crying. I padded back down the hall toward the sound. I followed it to Neil's bedroom where I had been sleeping. I peered around the corner to find Neil on his knees between the foot of the bed and the doorway, praying and crying. I walked up behind him and put my hands on his shoulders "What's wrong, Neil?"

At the sound of my voice and the touch of my hands he jumped and spun around in surprise. He stared up at me for a few moments. "Christy?" He said with his voice catching in his throat.

"Yes, Neil, I'm here. I went to get a drink of water. What's the matter . . . Never mind. You don't have to tell me. I already know. You came in to make sure I was still here and I wasn't, was I?" I knelt down beside him on the floor.

He nodded his head. He reached out and pulled me close to him. He held me tight! I laid my head on his chest and he kept kissing the top of my head over and over. I drew my head out so I could look at Neil. He placed one hand on each side of my head and kissed my face all over. Then he hugged me tightly again!! "I thought I had just had another one of my dreams about you!! Only this one had seemed so real I could not believe that it might only have been a dream. When I walked in here and found no one here I thought I was going insane! I was so sure that this 'vision' was real!! I couldn't believe that it wasn't, but yet you weren't here!!. . ." He voice trailed off.

"I'm right here Neil!! I promised I wouldn't leave! I won't either!!" I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as I could. He enfolded me in his arms and clutched me firmly to him.

"You feel so good in my arms!" Neil exclaimed. "Once we are married I don't think I shall ever let you go!!"

"I don't want you too either!" I declared. "Because I don't ever want to let go of you!!"

Neil turned his face toward mine. The moonlight from the window was streaming in on his face. A breeze blowing in through the open window was blowing his hair back softly. He looked so handsome! I could see the tear stains on his cheeks. As he turned his head I felt his lips brush my cheek. I hugged him tighter. I knew he wanted to kiss me, but for some reason I was afraid at the moment. Maybe it was being alone in the dark with Neil in his bedroom. He buried his face in my neck and kissed it softly. I wanted to kiss him, but I knew I shouldn't. I kept picturing him the way I saw him last at the Holcombe's the day the men of the cove were putting up their new cabin! I had to put that thought aside for now and back away from Neil. I moved back and I patted his cheek. "I know you want to kiss me Neil, but I can't just now. Not here!" I said as I motioned around his bedroom

"I know Christy. It's just very difficult for me right now. I was so worried that's all." Neil added.

"I know you were. But I'm not going to disappear! I promise! Wake me in time to make you breakfast."

"Maybe I'll stay home tomorrow so I can show you around the town!"

"I've got to leave in the early afternoon." I admitted. "I've got a train ticket for then just in case you didn't want to speak to me, I didn't want to stay any longer than I had to!! I'm sorry!! I kept picturing the way you looked at me when you rode away."

"I couldn't face you when I thought you just wanted to say good-bye before your wedding to Grantland." Neil said as he looked down at the floor.

"I would never have treated you that way if I had still planned to marry David!! I would have put your feelings before my own!" I commented. "Especially after your profession of love for me at Ingle's Cove! I would never have taken your feelings lightly especially after that!! But now you won't have to worry about that anymore!" I moved closer to him and placed my hand on his cheek. "Because now I'm going to be *your* wife!"

"Yes, you are, aren't you?" Neil brightened. "That wasn't a dream either was it?" I shook my head. He took my hand from his cheek and kissed the palm of my hand.

He took me into his arms and held me tight. Neil looked up to Heaven. "Thank-you!" He said ever so softly.

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I slept so soundly after Neil and I parted early in the morning hours that I was totally surprised when I felt his lips against mine to wake me in the morning! I looked a bit shocked at first I'm sure! But I recuperated quickly! I blissfully shared in the kiss! "Good morning!" Neil whispered with a loving smile on his face. "I know it's early, but I couldn't bare to be without you any longer! I tried watching you sleep, but that wasn't enough! I want to talk with you, I want to hold you in my arms again before I have to leave."

"Well, then I best get up and start your Breakfast! I can't allow you to leave for work on an empty stomach, now can I?" I offered. "Now you scoot on out of here and I'll get dressed and start cooking Breakfast!"

"I won't stop you! I'll be in the Dining Room!" Neil said as he rose from the side of the bed and walked out the door. He paused just once as he was leaving to look back at me and smile.

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I washed and dressed. Then I walked into the kitchen. I pulled out the frying pan and the food. Everything I would need! As I was cooking I felt a presence looking over my shoulder! I glanced over to see Neil watching me as I cooked!

"That looks tasty!" Neil commented.

"I hope so!" I replied. "I took lessons from Ida while she was at the mission."

Neil slipped his arms around me as I stood by the stove. "You don't know how many times I've pictured you here doing just this!" He kissed my neck softly. "I'm so glad to have you here!"

"I'm glad I came!" I said. "Neil?" I asked. "Did you pick out this apartment for the two of us?"

He looked at me shyly and nodded his head.

"It's excellent Neil! I love it!" I announced. "I'm sorry I wasn't more forceful about professing my love for *you*. Because then we could have lived here together for at least a while! I've enjoyed my time here with you."

"As have I!" Neil stated as he turned me around to face him.

"Is it alright if I kiss you in the kitchen, Christy?"

"I think that would be wonderful!" I proclaimed. Neil drew me close and kissed me sweetly. He hugged me tighter before letting me go.

He sounded more serious for a moment. "What time do you have to leave today?"

"My train is scheduled for 1:00 P.M."

"Would you do a favor for me this morning?" Neil asked.

"If I can. I'd love to! What is it?"

"Would you come to the hospital with me? I want to show you off to everyone!"

"I'd love to go with you! It'll be my chance to see where you work! Maybe I'll get to see Dr. Wade and thank him for all he's done!"

"I'm sure you will! Wade is there everyday!"

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