-=*=-To Austria With Love -=*=-
Chapter VII

The meal was my biggest concern! I didn't want to spill my meal all over myself! Maybe I should take Neil up on his idea to wear the salad bowl on my head, at least then no one would notice if I spilled anything on my dress! But I knew better then to attempt such a stunt. For Neil's sake if for no other.

All through the meal there were eyes on me! People were watching me, I could feel it! I had that peculiar feeling that you get when you just *know* that someone has their eyes upon you! I asked Neil if they were, but he wouldn't even answer me. He kept saying, "What if they are watching? Just ignore them!" Now *that* was far easier to say then to do!

If they were staring at me to see if I would spill something then they were definitely going about it the right way! Their stares only made my hands shake even more!

If there was soup I didn't receive any. Although I felt there was an excess amount of time between one course and another at one point. I would ask Neil about that when we were alone later.

Neil offered to cut my meat, but I was too self-conscience to allow him to do it even if I had to do without meat for this evening.

When dessert was finished, I breathed a sigh of relief! I had lived through the meal! Dancing was easier for me, Neil and I had been practicing for quite sometime. Besides even when I could see Neil guided me around the dance floor with such ease that I didn't even need to know the steps to dance with him.

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When the music began my heart skipped a beat. I could spend the evening in Neil's arms again! Now that was something I had looked forward to! But everything would be far more formal this evening then it had been at Ruby Mae and Will's wedding.

As Neil guided me out to the dance floor for the first time I was a bit apprehensive, but I only had to trust him as I had in the past. He spun me around with such grace and ease that I had not a worry in the world. The mental picture I had of Neil was naturally that of him at Ruby Mae's wedding. The look of love in his eyes as he looked at me. The way he gracefully swept around the dance floor.

Just as I had written in my journal, 'Neil was surprisingly nimble… Neil's strong arms lifted me off the floor as easily as if I was a child. Whirl and twirl… bend and swing… round and round. The music was so delicious.' I loved the Austrian music! It flowed through me and carried me along with it…

I pictured in my mind other things about that evening-the first time I danced with Neil, 'I spun through the air, blood racing with the music, aware of the Neil's face close to mine, sometimes half-smiling, sometimes laughing, drawing me to him.' It was all I could do at times when he was so close to me, to keep from kissing him this evening. Though I knew it would not be proper here in this setting.

I let my head fall back in a moment of joyous rapture. I knew Neil's eyes were glistening with approval once again and this time I knew there was love in them as well. I didn't panic as I had the first time, I was exhilarated by the thought of the love in Neil's eyes. Yes, I was dizzy, dizzy with the love I felt for Neil, who this time, was my loving, giving--wonderful husband! And this time when I pulled my head back up and his lips brushed my forehead, I enjoyed it and ached for more. His arm stayed firmly behind my back with my body pressed tightly against him. I wished with everything in me that we were in the middle of our parlor practicing and not in the midst of a crowded ballroom full of people who were most likely keeping an eye on us to see if we would do anything inappropriate!

As Neil held me close he whispered to me, "Christy, it's all I can do to keep from kissing you right now!"

"I know." I said. "I feel the same."

"I want to take you home right this minute."

"Have you been thinking the same as I have tonight?" I admitted. "Ruby Mae and Will's wedding?"

"Yes!" Neil declared. "And I can't help but think of what was going on up above our heads as we were dancing like this."

I smiled and said, "I know. I think I feel the same way they must have felt that evening."

"So do I." Neil stated.

"Why don't we get something to drink?" I offered.

"That's not the same Christy!"

"I know, but it's the best we can do at the moment." I admitted with a smile. For the first time this evening I didn't really care if there were eyes on us because all I cared about now was being with my husband.

Neil chuckled. "Very well then, let's go."

We walked to the table to get some punch. We were both over heated from dancing so we headed out the door with punch in hand.

The cool evening air was delectably exhilarating! Neil led me along a path in the moonlight. Or at least I knew it had to be dark out by this time. Even if I couldn't tell if the moon was indeed shining.

Neil led me to a quiet place where we could have a private moment. He put his arms around me and kissed me passionately. It was a welcome moment! That is until some ladies walked past behind us…

"Did you see that disgusting spectacle!?!"

"Why would anyone bring someone like *that* out in public!?!"

"He's only a backwoods Doctor from America what does he know of culture and breeding?"

"Why is he here, have you heard?"

"I was told he's a charity endeavor of Ernst's. He's brought him here to bring in extra money for the hospital."

"Then what is *she* doing here?"

"I don't know! But I wish that hillbilly Doctor had left her back in the woods where he found her!"

"Wasn't that a revolting sight as she ate?"

"Definitely! Spilling food all over the place! And the way she's dressed!"

"Goodness yes! I'm surprised Ernst hasn't had them removed from the premises by now!"

"Oh! That sordid display on the dance floor!"

"Kissing her right there in the presence of everyone! I wouldn't doubt they're out here right this minute doing something even more repulsive then that!"

"I hear they were raised in the wilderness. They ought to feel at home here among these trees!" They both laughed.

"Why don't they just go back to where they came from? Don't they know their kind aren't welcome here?"

"Yes, especially *her* kind! This city is where people from all over the world come to receive their eyesight back! A person like that only gives Vienna a bad reputation!"

The ladies laughed one last time and went on their merry way.

The tears were already streaming down my face as Neil drew me into him and hugged me tightly. "None of that is true, Sweetheart! Don't believe them!" He was too late, I already did. "They're jealous that's all. They had to have known we were here or they wouldn't have stopped at that very spot to make such accusations!

"People hate to see a beautiful young woman enjoying herself. I'll not change a thing about this evening. I'm not sorry about anything. You have been a lady in every respect since the moment we arrived, you always have been, and you always will be. You did nothing wrong at the table or after the meal either for that matter. You have been trained to be a lady from the day you were born and I have *never* seen a time when you weren't one. You did everything perfectly this evening. I even watched you to be sure *I* was using the correct fork. You did nothing wrong and the gossips can just keep their comments to themselves!! *I* need you here and I'm not about to let you go!"

I couldn't help but sob. Neil held me and kissed the top of my head. He rocked me slowly back and forth. Then started to sing to me with his rich baritone voice, "My pretty little pink, I once did think, I never could do without you…." His voice faded, he stopped singing and cupped my chin in his hand lifting my face toward his. "I was right, you know, when I sang that song to you before. I can't live without you, 'My pretty little pink'." I felt him moving closer as he claimed my lips again. I needed his closeness at this moment, more then I needed anything else in the world.

"Can we go home now Neil?" I asked trying desperately not to sob.

"I'd love to say yes, but you know, the best thing for us to do is to remain here and show them they aren't going to scare us away from this party *or* Vienna! We can go anywhere and do anything we want to do. We were invited this evening just the same as they were. We are welcome guests.

"I earned this position with my hard work and dedication, I wasn't handed anything on a silver platter! You heard the same thing from Prof. Kinnigan just yesterday, didn't you?"

I nodded my head.

"I know, no one handed you this Neil. I looked around your laboratory at your cabin back in the Cove, when I was there. I know it was wrong of me to, but I did and I'm sorry. I saw all the hard work, all your slides and the extreme order you kept everything in. You spent many sleepless nights trying to find a cure for Trachoma. You deserve everything that is offered to you in the way of a promotion…and then some! Where you ever found the time to do research on top of being the only Doctor for fifty miles, plus trying to help with the social issues which sprang up in the Cove, I'll never know! Oh, Neil! You work too hard!"

"Don't worry about me, Sweetheart. Now that I have you, I don't plan to spend so many sleepless nights anymore… Well, at least not in my laboratory that it!" Then he laughed, a playful, almost wicked laugh that told me exactly what he was inferring with his remark.

All I could do was try to look surprised and whisper, "Neil MacNeill!!"

I felt the pressure building up again behind my eyes but I couldn't let it get the better of me. I just couldn't! I prayed I would be able to make it through the remainder of the evening with dignity and no headache.

"Now I want you to relax!" Neil mock-commanded. "You have to think of the baby remember?"

"Neil! Stop that! We don't know anything for sure. I don't want you to be disappointed."

"I won't be disappointed. I know I won't. I want to name our little girl Christy Jean. Because my mother's name was Jean."

"I like Amelia Jean. Amelia was the baby sister I lost when I was eight and she was two." I sighed. "Neil!! Now you've got *me* doing it!" I chided.

He laughed such a deep rolling laugh, that I couldn't help but smile.

The laughter and teasing did help me to feel better at least. Even if it wasn't the truth. I had no idea what I would feel like if I really was expecting, so how would I know if I was or not? But of course, only time could tell me what was going on inside of me.

I smiled again at Neil. "You always know how to make me feel better, don't you?"

He laughed deeply again. "I'm trying Sweetheart--I'm trying! I only wish your face would show it when you're feeling better." He paused a moment. "You have another headache don't you?"

"Just some pressure at the moment is all. Not enough to keep me from dancing with the best dancer in Vienna for the rest of the evening!"

Neil drew me close. "I love you more then anything on this earth Christy MacNeill."

"The feeling is very mutual, Neil MacNeill!"

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End of Chapter 7.
Chapter 8 Coming Soon!!