-=*=-To Austria With Love -=*=-
Chapter VI
I got ready for the party, or shall I say I was readied for the party, for I did very little in the way of helping myself to prepare. It took a few hours to accomplish all that needed to be done. Berta and I had purchased an Azure Blue gown with a full skirt. It was an off the shoulder dress with a matching shawl to cover my shoulders when I was outside. Some ladies that Berta knew helped me with my hair. They pinned it up and wound matching ribbons through. I only wished I could have seen the finished results.
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When I came down from our room, Neil was awaiting me at the base of the stairs. All he could do was whistle. I smiled, but was hoping for a more verbal response from him.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"Wow!" Was Neil's response.
"Could you elaborate on that please?" I teased.
"You took me seriously, Sweetheart! You will most definitely be the *most beautiful* woman at the party this evening!" Neil took my hands. Leaning into my ear he whispered, "But how am I supposed to survive this evening when you look so inviting?"
"I'm sorry Neil." I whispered with a smile. "I was only trying to follow your orders!" He laughed, his deep rolling laugh, which I hadn't heard so often in the past six months as I had in only the past two days! It was wonderful to have laughter back in the house--most especially Neil's, at least to my ears that is.
"You did, Christy my love! You followed my instructions to *the* letter! I can hardly wait to see the reactions of everyone as we walk in this evening!"
"You mean I don't look like a toothless, dirty, ungroomed, 'hillbilly'--as they assume I will?" I teased.
Neil laughed again! "Far from it Sweetheart!! They'll be eating their words this evening, Love! I guarantee it!"
"I wish I could see *you* this evening!" I said.
"You've seen me in a suit before, just picture a fancier suit is all."
"Now I know you're underestimating your appearance! Let me see? My Father has a tuxedo… I'll have to see if I can place your face above my father's tuxedo and I should be pretty close!" I stood with my finger to the side of my face to look as though I was thinking hard. "Yes! That's it! Do you have a boutonnière?"
"Of course." Neil said trying to sound more distinguished. "It is a white rose." He enunciated precisely and distinctly.
"My my!! Aren't we fancy, Dr. MacNeill!" I smiled. "I've got the picture in my mind. I agree with your earlier assessment, Wow!!" I giggled.
Neil took me in his arms. "Are you ready to go Mrs. MacNeill?"
I took a deep breath. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."
"You're shaking like a leaf, Sweetheart! Are you going to be alright?" Neil asked with concern in his voice as he held me tighter still.
"I'll be fine Neil. Don't worry. I'm doing this for you and I promise I'll do my very best for you. I apologize already, because I'm probably going to make mistakes."
"I don't care if you wear the salad bowl on your head, I'm just glad you're accompanying me! I would have felt so out of place to go alone. Besides you are a well-mannered and sophisticated lady I'm sure no one will even notice if you make a mistake! They may duplicate your mistake just to be like you!"
"You're teasing me now, Neil! But thank-you for it! I could use the laughter to break the tension I feel inside!"
"Here, I can help you with that, turn around." I did and Neil began to massage my shoulders.
"That helps." I admitted.
But when he kissed my neck, I said, "I think we'd better be leaving if we're ever going to get to that party this evening."
"Party pooper." Neil whispered in my ear with a chuckle.
"Later, Neil, later!" I said.
"Is that a promise then?" Neil asked jokingly.
"Blood oath!" I said as I raised my right hand.
"Oh, serious business, Christy MacNeill! You realize that by your saying that I am bound to hold you to that promise." He said, as he took my arm and wrapped it around his.
"Absolutely, Neil. For there is nothing I wish more…" My voice trailed off then for I knew we were treading on ground which would do us no good to tread upon at this moment.
"Oops, I don't have my gloves! Where did I put them?" I cried anxiously.
"They're right here, Love." Neil assured me, as he handed me my gloves.
"Thank-you. I'd forget my head this evening if it wasn't attached!"
"Oh, don't do that Sweetheart! It's far to messy!" We both laughed as we walked out the front door.
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Arriving at the Fuchs home this evening was a frightening experience. I didn't tell Neil how I felt, but he knew. I'd been telling him for weeks already, including at home this evening. But actually being here tonight was overwhelming. I could tell by the sounds that this had to be a huge mansion. I kept repeating to myself that I was doing this for my husband. This meant so much to him that I had to do my best…for Neil.
As we approached the front door I said, "I feel nauseous."
Neil chuckled. "Maybe you're pregnant?'
"Neil MacNeill!" I declared in a whispered tone.
"I know already that it's going to be a baby girl who looks exactly like her beautiful mama! She'll have brown hair and blue eyes just like you!"
I playfully nudged his arm. "I couldn't possibly be sick from that already any how, even if I were expecting."
"I wouldn't say that, Christy. I've seen it happen that a woman feels ill from the very moment of conception!"
"Oh, now *that* bit of information makes me feel a whole lot better, Neil!!" I said sarcastically.
He had the nerve to chuckle! "I'm going out tomorrow and buying the most beautiful pink baby dress I can find! Oops, the shops are closed tomorrow, it's Sunday. Then I'll do it first thing Monday!" Neil declared as we reached the front stairs.
He was lucky, I was just about to pinch him in the arm! But I had to smile at such enthusiasm. I only hoped I wouldn't disappoint him.
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I shook, as Neil said, like a leaf, as he introduced me to people he knew. I tried to remember the proper etiquette Berta had taught me for this evening.
Whenever there was no one around us at the moment, Neil would tease me to help ease the tension I was feeling. He teased me incessantly about a baby! I couldn't hit him here, I tried to chide him in hushed whispers, but he would not be silenced! I knew he was trying to make me feel more at ease, but it honestly wasn't helping. Although I knew some of his enthusiasm was due to his own nervousness and also his hope that what he was teasing me about was, in fact, true.
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End of Chapter 6.
Chapter 7 Coming Soon!!
