The Revelation ~ Neil's Return

The days went by slowly, but that seemed to give me more time to accomplish the tasks set before me and the tasks in turn helped to keep my mind off the fact that Neil was not here.

Each evening I sat anxiously by waiting for the telephone to ring! He never missed an evening! Night after night I was always thrilled to hear his voice!! I could hardly wait to be in his arms again upon his return to the cove!! I planned to be at the platform in El Pano when Neil arrived! I was going to surprise him. I'd stay overnight at Mrs. Tatum's so that I could be at the platform bright and early Wednesday morning.

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David was silent around me. I knew he was hurt deeply by my decision, but I had to hurt either David or Neil and I knew in my heart that Neil was the man I was to marry. I missed my friendship with David. But I knew it would never be the same as it had been too many things had happened between us for our friendship to ever be what it once was.

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Late Tuesday I saddled Buttons and headed for El Pano. I had my clothes packed for tomorrow and I was so anxious to see Neil again! These past two weeks had been awful, but the days without Neil were nearly over! In two days we would be married and then there won't be separated anymore except for emergencies, but then Neil will always be returning home to me!

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Neil wouldn't be calling me tonight because he was already on the train heading home! That sounded so good! I could hardly wait for tomorrow morning!

As I lie awake in bed that night I thought, "I could have stayed in the Parlor downstairs! I'm not going to get any sleep no matter where I stay tonight!" In the times that I dosed off I dreamed that I was late meeting the train and woke myself up again!

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I stood on the platform pacing back and forth. I had arrived extra early I knew that, but I didn't want to be late! I kept listening for the train whistle, but I didn't hear it yet. I sat on the one lone bench on the platform and waited. I put my head back and fell asleep! I was awakened by the sound of the train pulling into the station! I jumped up from my seat and strode toward the train, I was excited, but I tried to maintain composure!

Neil was already waiting outside the door before the train pulled up to the platform! Our eyes locked and we both smiled broadly. He looked different somehow then the last time I had seen him! In fact I thought he looked better then when I last saw him! He jumped off the train before it came to a complete stop, I ran to him and leaped into his arms! He enfolded me into his arms and held me close, almost in a bear-hug!

"Oh, Christy! I've missed you Lass! You feel better in my arms then I remember!" Neil declared as he lifted me up and swung me around.

"I've missed you also Neil!!" I exclaimed. He set my feet on the platform and placed his hand behind my head. He looked intently at me, I couldn't stop smiling!

"I'd forgotten how incredibly beautiful you are, Love! I don't ever want to be separated from you again!" Neil held me close and inhaled deeply. He pulled back from me and leaned forward and kissed me intently. "I love you Christy! I still can't believe you're going to be my wife!"

We found a carriage to take us to the cove. Neil had two trunks, plus bags, and crates… he had to bring back all of the things that he had taken to Baltimore only months ago. The ride home was lovely. Neil and I didn't take our eyes off of each other the entire time…one of the privileges of having someone else driving us home! Neil rested his hand on the seat I took my hand and placed it on top of his. He took his hand and turned it over to hold mine. After holding it for a few moments longer Neil looked at my hand resting securely in his. I was amazed myself at the difference in the size of his hand compared to mine! But it felt so very good to have my hand in his again!

"Alright Christy, what is in that package that you've been carrying around?" Neil asked curiously.

"This," I said picking up my package. "Is an early wedding present to you, from me!" I said. "My father has already put up a shelf above your bed to keep it on." I handed the package to Neil. "I wanted to give it to you in private, and since this is as close to private as we're likely to get in the next few days, I thought I'd bring it along today. My parents brought it with them from Asheville. I asked them to bring this for me to give to you."

Neil untied the bow and slowly removed the paper. "Intriguing!" Neil exclaimed with a wink. He set the paper aside and opened the unmarked box. Inside he found a jug and the tag said 'Gruvner's Candy Shoppe, Asheville, N.C.' he opened the jug and found it to be filled with licorice.

"I wanted you to have this so I could tell you that I'm sure your grandfather forgave you long ago. Maybe you've had to live with his look of disappointment all these years, but I can't see where he would still be disappointed in the man you've become! You're an excellent physician and a man that any man would be proud to call their son or grandson!! I'm sure your grandfather knew you were only a boy, and boys make mistakes. He only wanted you to feel sorry for what you'd done so that you wouldn't repeat the offense, that's all he wanted to show you I'm sure of it! If he had been allowed to be with you for a longer time you would have found out the same thing…" Christy's voice trailed off as Neil looked at her with tears streaming down his face.

Putting the back of his fingers against Christy's cheek he brought his head down and rested his forehead against hers. He brushed her face softly with his thumb. "I love you Christy!" He paused to regain his composure. "I can't tell you what this means to me."

"It was the least I could do after you helped me through Fairlight's death. Oh, I know at the time I didn't feel as though you had, but your words weighed heavily on my heart and they stuck with me and helped me more then you will ever know!" Christy confessed.

Neil tilted his head to the side and kissed me affectionately. "Thank-you…for *everything*!!" Neil paused for a moment. "You even remembered the shelf above the bed?"

"Yes, my father went to your cabin and put one up for you. As a surprise from me that is!" I smiled at Neil. "Aren't you going to have any?"

"Not right now. I'm going to save that pleasure to share with my new wife on our wedding night!" Neil chuckled, as he knew I was going to blush, and I did! "I knew you'd do it!"

"Of course I would!" I said shyly. "You know it doesn't take much to make me blush. All you need to do is wink at me and I blush!"

"I'll have to be sure and wink at you as you walk down the aisle toward me on Friday!"

"You wouldn't!!"

"Maybe, maybe not! I'll see what kind of mood I'm in that day whether I'm ecstatically happy or ecstatically happy *and* teasing!"

I had to smile! All I could think of at that moment was to put my head on Neil's shoulder and enjoy the rest of the ride!

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Back at Neil's cabin I unhitched Buttons from the back of the carriage. I needed to return to the mission before anyone noticed that I was alone at with Neil at his cabin. So when the carriage driver got into the carriage to leave, I approached Neil to say good-bye.

"Neil, will I see you tomorrow?" I asked.

"No, Christy!" Neil said with a smile.

"No?" I questioned.

"No, I intend to be at the mission later today! I'll not go without seeing my bonnie lass any longer then need be!" He took me into his arms and kissed me sweetly. "Now, Christy Huddleston, my love, you best be on your way back to the mission before someone notices us here and starts a rumor so close to our wedding! No, I'll not have any of that!! We needn't ruin your reputation or mine this close to our marriage!" He turned me around and gave me gentle nudge toward my horse. "Now off with you lass! I'll see you later. After I've had a nap and unpacked my basic necessities!" Neil chuckled.

"Alright Neil. I'll wait, as patiently as possible, to see you later!" I said forlornly. I mounted Buttons and looked back at Neil. "Sleep well Neil! I love you!"

"I love you too lass! Off with you now so I can get to bed!" Neil laughed.

I was on my way back to the mission. It's not what I wanted to do, but I was doing what Neil expected of me. But on my return to the mission I knew for sure that my mother could most definitely keep me busy until Neil arrived! And for the next two days as well!!

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