A/N: thanks all for your patience...have been finding some time to write again but it is slow moving.
DP Chapter 12
Adelaide's heart twisted. Christy had convinced Adelaide to stay for supper since Neil was off doctoring. Doctor Ferrand was visiting again for the first time since she married Neil. Supper was tense and Adelaide was beginning to wish she just stayed home- cozy by the fire, snuggling Simon and waiting for Neil to get home instead of facing all of this.
"When are you going to baptize the boy?" Doctor Ferrand questioned. "How old is he now?"
Adelaide looked down at Simon whom she was cradling in her arms. "Simon is two months old"
"It's about time, don't you think?" he asked. "You should be setting the example for the congregation"
"Why is that?" Adelaide asked, curiously.
"Your son is the nephew of our minister" he said, emphatically, "that's why"
Adelaide was startled by Dr. Ferrand's strong opinion on the matter. She faltered for only a moment, before turning to her brother in law.
"David" Adelaide looked to David, "do you have a problem that I haven't baptized Simon yet?"
He looked between his sister and law and his supervisor, realizing fully the tension that was present during the course of the meal, the same tension that threatened to erupt with this discussion. It was a delicate matter, not wanting to go against his supervisor, but he felt a loyalty to Adelaide not only as her pastor but as her brother in law. And frankly, he didn't think Adelaide should be pushed into doing something she was wasn't ready for reasons that weren't entirely valid.
With a quick glance at his wife, he shook his head, "No, Adelaide. You should do so when you and Doc feel comfortable. I am hoping though now that your honeymoon has passed we'll be seeing you and my nephew back on Sunday mornings"
"If Neil allows you to attend" Christy added.
Adelaide's face whitened. It was the first time that she was confronted with her decision to marry one outside her faith. She hadn't even considered that Neil might object to her attending church.
"Allows?" she questioned, surprised.
"Well, yes" Christy said, "We know how Doctor MacNeill feels about the mission and church"
"He respects the mission" she told her sister, her voice low. "You know that"
"No, he doesn't" Dr. Ferrand said, his voice loud and heated. "He thinks we are doing more harm than good a lot of times"
"That's not entirely true" Adelaide argued, calmly as she shifted Simon and took another bite of her potatoes.
"What about that business with the moonshine?" Ferrand demanded. "He blamed us for that man getting shot"
"I wouldn't say he blamed the mission" she countered. "he did have concerns and some of them were actually legitimate, Doctor Ferrand. Surely, you must concede to that" She glanced at David.
"Absolutely not. Are you saying Reverend Grantland shouldn't preach against the sin of the drink?" Dr. Ferrand asked, eying her sternly.
"Of course not" Adelaide responded, turning back to him, "but I think sometimes we forget that Neil knows these people and culture the best out of all of us. There were extenuating circumstances, ones that Neil anticipated that David could not. He isn't hostile to the mission at all. He sees the good too"
"Jacob" Alice's voice was soft and soothing, "I don't think thee should put Adelaide in such an uncomfortable position, especially in regards to her husband."
"If it is uncomfortable for her, it is from the consequence of being unequally yoked" Dr. Ferrand lectured.
Adelaide's eyes widened at the gall of this man. "You practically forced me to marry him and now you are lecturing on being unequally yoked? How is that fair?" she said, not bothering to hide her anger.
"You should have thought about that before you allowed yourself to become so close to him"
"Neil has always respected my faith" Adelaide retorted. "And I am thankful I allowed myself to become so close to him"
"Has he?" Christy asked, "to me, he has always seemed quite antagonistic"
"You can't lecture at him, Christy" Adelaide said, her voice gentling, "nobody likes to be preached at" she looked wryly at David, "no offense meant, Reverend"
"None taken, Addie" David smiled at her. Adelaide smiled back. She did have an ally in her brother in law.
"I don't force my beliefs on Neil and he doesn't force his on me" she told them, "he may not understand why I believe in God, but I don't think he would ever forbid me from going to church"
"Then why haven't you been back?" Ferrand asked.
Her stomach twisted as she contemplated his question. Why hadn't she been back? She searched her mind. Neil had been gone a lot and she was exhausted trying to keep up with the demands placed on her as a new wife and mother. And when he was home, she wanted to be with him.
"The baby hasn't been sleeping well and Neil has been gone a lot"
She glanced at David, who cleared his throat.
"Church is important, Adelaide, to strengthen your faith" he commented, "when you are able, we would love for you and Simon to come back again"
"Of course, we will" Adelaide said, "we are just now getting our bearings with him and Neil and I in our marriage."
"That is completely understandable" Alice soothed. "Thee has had so many changes of late"
Adelaide looked her way in gratitude, so relieved that she understood, "Yes, I have"
"So, you will go alone to church for the rest of your life?" Christy asked.
She looked resolute, "Yes, if I must"
"And will you baptize the boy?" Ferrand asked.
"Of course" she nodded, "Simon would have wanted it and Neil will respect that decision"
"And your children with Doctor MacNeill?" he pressed.
The door clicked open.
She looked at him, still shocked by his nerve, "I really don't see how that is any of your concern. I'm not employed by the mission any more and my husband has never been"
"But clearly you are still highly regarded by the people here and you are still associated with the mission" Jacob responded, "You are setting a poor example and it has the potential to reflect badly on the mission"
A throat cleared. "Sorry to interrupt. Adelaide, I was hoping you were here."
Adelaide jumped. "Neil, I didn't hear your ride up"
"Aye, I know" Neil said, evenly, "it seems like you were involved in a rather intense conversation at the moment" He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it soothingly. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Her heart overflowed. "You have wonderful timing, Neil"
He leaned down to kiss her head and reached around to rub Simon's cheek. "Sounds like it"
"Doctor MacNeill, would thee like to join us?" Alice said, smoothly, "there is plenty"
He nodded. "I think I will, thank you" and they made room for him at the table, next to Adelaide, who was pushing around her food with her fork. "Don't stop your conversation for me" he said as he helped himself. "I'm eager to know what led to my wife looking so distressed"
"If Mrs. MacNeill is distressed it is under her own doing" Ferrand answered.
"Really?" Neil turned to him, "I find that hard to believe"
Adelaide shifted uncomfortably. "Doctor Ferrand was just interested to know when we planned to baptize this little one in church" she rocked Simon in her arms.
Neil paused and gave her a quick look, before settling his focus on Jacob. "Were you now?"
"Yes" he told him, adamantly, "I believe as your wife is the sister in law of our minister and former mission employee..."
"Whom you terminated" Neil interrupted as he twirled his fork before stabbing into his food, "and is now my wife, whom I am more than capable of taking care of"
Adelaide wondered if it was a good time to point out that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but one look at Neil's face and she knew it would not be. She had never seen him this protective of her.
"I don't believe you can take care of your wife's spiritual needs given your spiritual persuasion" Jacob said, "and as such, we must all step in. Mrs. Grantland was telling me earlier of how strong her former brother in law's faith was"
Adelaide inhaled sharply, "Yes, that's true, but that fact is irrelevant"
"Did your husband's faith not bolster your own?" he questioned.
Adelaide stumbled, "Yes, of course"
"And vice versa, I'd imagine knowing Adelaide" Miss Alice said, quietly.
"Don't you miss that?"
Adelaide stared at him for a moment. She recalled time after time with Simon of them side by side at church, him reading to her out of his bible, their discussions on God and faith, the way he gently led her. Her heart ached at the memories, but also for Neil, who didn't believe but still managed to support her in her faith when she struggled. They didn't see it- they couldn't see it. She felt like her marriage was under attack...that this man she cared about was under attack, quite unfairly.
Tears flooded Adelaide's eyes as Neil stiffened beside her.
"Dr. Ferrand, you are upsetting my wife even further" Neil practically growled. "over something that is none of your concern"
"No, Neil, I'm fine" Adelaide's throat was dry. She looked at Dr. Ferrand though tears impeded her vision, "I miss Simon still- all of him, not just one particular part. He was such a wonderful man and I'm still grieving and Neil understands this." She sniffled, before adding, adamantly, "But Neil isn't a replacement for Simon. He's never been that. And regardless my marriage to Doctor MacNeill is my concern and his- not anyone else's. Whether or not we baptize Simon is our concern..."
"When it is the salvation of a child..."
"I don't believe, Doctor Ferrand, that baptism leads to salvation" Adelaide countered, firmly, "I believe it is an extension of the covenant and that is why we baptize our babies. Simon agreed"
"Which is why when Adelaide feels is right, under the consultation of David, we will baptize the boy" Neil told him, trying to cut off the conversation before he lost his temper. Adelaide's tears were enough to make him want to throttle the man who was so unjustly attacking Adelaide for marrying him.
"And children you have with Mrs. MacNeill?"
Neil looked stormy, "I don't see how that is your concern how I choose to raise my children"
"Our children" she murmured to him.
"Our children" Neil amended, still indignant.
"And your wife?" Ferrand pressed.
Neil turned to her, "Adelaide, do you feel wanting for anything?"
She rocked Simon in her arms, "Of course not" she looked at Dr. Ferrand, "Actually, even if Neil doesn't believe, he still has taken the time to work through with me when I'm facing spiritual doubts"
"Has he?"
"He has" Adelaide said, "and he does so without judgment which I always appreciate. He is the leader of our family in all ways. He's the first person I would go to if I have a concern...spiritual or otherwise..." She gave Doctor Ferrand a challenging look and Neil turned to her, his temper abating slightly in amazement of his wife. They had their challenges after they first married, but feisty Adelaide was back and he loved that as long as he wasn't on the receiving in end of that look.
"So, you feel able to submit to his leadership?"
She faltered before responding, "Of course". It was subtle, a momentary pause, but Neil picked up on it.
"The truth is" Neil interjected, "This woman has brains in her head that rivals anybody else that I know. If you would have taken time to know her, you would have realized that too instead of attacking her tonight. She doesn't deserve that and you certainly shouldn't do so in my absence, though I doubt that you would have gotten five more minutes in before Adelaide put you in your place"
"I surely don't know what you mean, Doctor MacNeill" Adelaide said in her sweet genteel southern drawl.
"I'm sure ye don't, lassie" Neil gave her an impish look.
"Well, I'd never" Jacob huffed. "in my mission none the less"
"Neil" Alice's voice was low, "Perhaps, we should change the subject"
"Not yet, Alice" Neil turned back to him, "I think Adelaide has shown the mission a proper amount of respect and shouldn't have to explain herself to anybody when all she wants to do is eat supper with her sister and brother in law"
"It wasn't meant as an attack, Doc" David offered, quietly. "more of a concern"
"From you or Christy or Alice...I know you all care for her" Neil answered, "that I believe, but I'm not sure of everyone's intentions. Truth be told, Doctor Ferrand, we never had a conversation about your decision to terminate Adelaide. She was treated unfairly by you, but I assumed that treatment would not continue. If I am wrong, then clearly, we need to have a conversation because I will not have her treated as less than who she is"
"A woman who comp..." Jacob, trailed off at Neil's fiery look,
"A woman who is the most capable, generous, caring, intelligent person I know. A wee impulsive at times, but that can most certainly be forgiven given the circumstances. I doubt we can begin to fathom the stress it is to carry a child- especially a child of a husband lost only months before. Doesn't your bible talk about taking care of widows and orphans and instead you shame her?"
"Most widows wouldn't be spending the night with other men so soon after her husband's death"
"Jacob!" Alice's voice was uncharacteristically harsh.
He turned to Alice, a silent message passing between them as Adelaide's fork clattered to her plate, her dropping it in dismay.
"Honestly, this is the most ridiculous conversation I have ever been a part of" she declared. "You know very well that Doctor MacNeill and I...that we didn't..." she licked her dry lips, her throat parched.
Neil's temper was hanging on by the slimmest of threads, "Adelaide, don't bother trying to reason with him"
There was silence at table, until Simon began to cooing, waken by Adelaide's agitation. Neil reached to take the baby from his arms. "If this is what faith is, I surely don't want my children to have any part of it" he said. "that you can be sure of"
"Neil" Adelaide murmured, her heart hammering. "Please don't say that"
He didn't turn to her, not offering to retract his statement. Adelaide bit her lip, looking to Alice. Her eyes were sympathetic.
"Doctor MacNeill, I'm sure Jacob didn't mean anything improper happened then and regardless, thee knows how much we all love Adelaide. We are so thankful she chose to stay here as your wife. And no one can argue that she has made great strides in being accepted by the people of the Cove, quicker than us all perhaps. But I think a change of subject is in order. How are the O'Teales? Addie said that little Becky had a cough"
Neil looked at Alice for a moment and she met his eyes steadily. "Fine, Alice" he grunted, allowing the subject to change, yet it was far from over.
She could tell his temper was about to explode as they rode home. He was stewing over it something awful and the more they rode, the worse he got. Neil helped her down and handed her the babe, before taking Charlie to the barn, not saying a word to her.
She tended to Simon, dressing him, feeding him and putting him to bed. She changed into her nightgown and brushed out her hair before heading back downstairs.
"Why are you wet?" Adelaide stopped in her tracks.
"I jumped in the creek"
"Why on earth would you do that?" Adelaide demanded, her hand on her hip.
"I needed to cool down"
"And did it work?" she asked, dryly.
"No" Neil said, shortly. "You are behind on laundry"
She went over to the stove to make tea. "I know, I'm sorry"
"I need you to stay on top of it, Adelaide" he lectured, "I know it is a miserable chore for you, but with my job, it's important to make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned"
"Yes, I know" Adelaide said, softly. "I was going to but Simon soiled his clothes multiple times today and I have been doing his laundry all afternoon long"
"You went to visit your sister"
"There is only so much room for it to dry in the winter" Adelaide argued. "Don't pick on me, Neil. I will do your laundry, tomorrow, alright?"
"I'm not picking on you" Neil said, "But I do expect you to do what I need you to do around the cabin"
She stared at him. Gone was the protective Neil, replaced by one who was lashing at her. She understood his anger, but she wondered when and why it turned on her.
"Would you like the baby to go around without diapers or clothes? Would that be more conducive to keeping your cabin clean?"
"Of course not"
"Then kindly back off" she told him.
"Watch yourself, woman" he grunted.
She titled her head, "I'm not the one you are mad at. Go back and have it out with Doctor Ferrand, but you don't you dare make this about me. I defended you to all of them"
"I don't need you to defend me" He snapped.
"Yet you felt the need to defend me" she countered.
"Of course I did" Neil said, "you are my wife and nobody will treat you like that without getting an earful from me. If he was a wee bit younger, Adelaide, I would have surely taken him to blows"
"I would hate for you to do that on my behalf" she said, her voice holding her disapproval. "It's distasteful"
Neil crossed his arms, "You know what is distasteful? The implications he made about you. Do you understand what he was implying about you...and your morals?"
"I am not entirely naïve, Neil MacNeill, of course I know"
"And it doesn't bother you?"
"Of course it does...you know it does..." Adelaide paused, swallowing hard, "It's just part of him is correct, I should be setting a good example"
"You do- everyday" Neil retorted.
"But there is a verse in the bible about being above reproach"
"What we were supposed to do, woman?" Neil asked, incredulously, "Have you die in the snowstorm? Would that satisfy your God and his inane rules?"
"No, of course not" Adelaide said. "Nobody is saying that"
"That is exactly what he is saying!" Neil said, exasperated, "Listen to me now. We will not indoctrinate my children with all this foolishness, Adelaide. If you want to believe in it, that's fine"
"How magnanimous of you" She looked at him, squarely. "What is your problem?"
"They should know that it is something man made up" Neil said, his tone brusque, "they should know about science and medicine and reasoned thought...reasoned thought as in if there is a snowstorm, then it is okay to seek shelter even with an unmarried man. This is all foolishness that does more harm than good...all for something completely made up"
"I believe that it isn't made up and I do believe that God gave us science, medicine and reasoned thought" Adelaide retorted, her temper snapping at his condescending tone, "and by the way, you keep referring to future children as yours. I am going to spend nine months carrying them, hours to labor and push them into this world and then months nursing them and years nurturing them, they are just as much mine if not more so considering all you have to do is..."
Neil paused, "Yes, lass?"
She shook her head, refusing to take his bait, "I'm not the enemy. And by the way, God is not the enemy either"
"God doesn't exist" he pointed his finger at him.
"Yes, he does"
"Then prove it" he challenged.
"I don't need to prove it to you" Adelaide said, "not when you are acting like this."
"But you will need to our children"
"No" Adelaide crossed her arms, "I need to teach them and nurture their faith"
"By all means, Adelaide" Neil thundered, "teach them to be ignorant fools just like that man back there"
She swept across the room. "I am neither ignorant or a fool and I believe" she pushed her hand against his chest, "or maybe I am. You see, I told them that you would respect me and my faith. I suppose I was wrong. I'm going to bed. I do hope you are in a better disposition in the morning, Doctor MacNeill"
"Run away, Adelaide" he glared at her.
"That's not what this is" Adelaide's eyes sparked in anger. "This is me trying to end this fight before I say something I regret. You see, I'm showing maturity here...unlike, well, some people I know. Good night, Neil" she said, more forcefully.
She turned swiftly around but Neil's hand shot out and caught her, pulling her back to him.
"What is it now?"
"It's early for bed" he grunted.
"Yes, it is" her stomach fluttered at the way he was looking at her. Their eyes met and his look became more intense.
"Do not look at me like that" Adelaide told him, shaking her head.
"Like what?" Neil asked, his voice deep.
"You know very well how you are looking at me"
"You are incredibly attractive when you are angry, do ye know that?" he asked, his hand in hers.
She took a tentative step back. "Don't you do that. We are fighting"
"The sex is so much better when it is part of making up" Neil said, bluntly, tugging at her hand so she moved closer to him.
"We would have to make up first for that to happen!" she exclaimed.
"I'm willing to make an exception" he said, leaning in, his voice low in her ear, "for you"
"Oh, that's so very generous of you, Doctor MacNeill"
"We can make up afterwards. You clearly need an outlet for that temper of yours"
"My temper?" Adelaide squeaked. "You have some nerve"
"Yes, yours" Neil said. "Enough talkin, woman" he pulled her against him and captured her mouth with his, kissing her fiercely.
"I am angry at you" she said as she pulled back from him. "We can't do this when I'm angry at you"
He looked at her, evenly, "Is that how you feel or how you think you are supposed to feel?"
She thought for a moment and then she conceded to know what she knew was true in her heart. He wanted her in that moment and she could met his passion with her own...because truth be told, she wanted him as well.
"Kiss me again, Neil"
She could barely get the phrase out before his mouth met hers again. And as frustrated and angry as she was with him, she matched the passion in his kiss with a fervor that excited both of them.
"I'm not the only one who needs a release" Adelaide grunted against his mouth, Neil's forearms wrapping around her waist, pinning her tightly against him. "You are being absolutely ridiculous"
"Hush. We'll talk after" Neil said, releasing her and lifting her up by the waist. He deposited her on the couch before easing on top of her, their clothes soon landing in a haphazard pile on the floor.
Much later, they were crammed lying on the couch next to each other, Adelaide falling off the couch. Neil grunted and shifted her to where she was lying on top of him.
"Neil" she protested as he pulled the afghan from the back of the couch to cover her bare skin.
"Don't become modest now. It's more comfortable like this" he told her.
"We could just forgo snuggle time" Adelaide teased. "Or would that be unacceptable for my tough mountain man husband?"
Truth be told, Neil wasn't the only one who loved these quiet moments together in each other's arms after the passion of their lovemaking, but he was the one that definitely held her there for some time before releasing her to dress. Adelaide sometimes wondered if it was to make sure she didn't have another meltdown, but regardless, she loved the security and serenity in those peaceful moments between them.
"Just hush" Neil poked her side. "I know you need this. I could forgo"
"Uh huh" she giggled. "You are in a much better mood" Adelaide laid her head down against his bare chest, listening to his heart, beat- the strong, steady rhythm comforting her.
"You are enticing when you are angry" Neil said, honestly. "incredibly beguiling..."
"Beguiling?" Adelaide murmured, surprised.
"Does that surprise you?"
"Yes"
"It's true, especially when you get your dander up. You have no idea what your temper did to me. I had to force myself to slow things down for you..."
"Was that you taking it slow?" Adelaide teased.
"Yes" Neil poked at her, "though I wasn't the only one engaged in our activity, lass"
"Engaged and more forward?" Adelaide blushed at the memory. She was so forward with him- more so than she had ever been and only fueled Neil's desire for her. Opal was right- kindle their spark and the flame between them burned hot.
"Indeed" he chuckled, "I'll make you mad more often if that's the kind of excitement I get from you."
"Neil" Adelaide leaned up again, the heat on her face noticeable, "I wasn't too foreword, was I?" There was a catch to her voice, an uncertainty, a shyness that crept in.
"Oh God, no" Neil reassured her, leaning up for a kiss. "Any man wishes to be desired by his wife. It's a good thing, lass"
"Good" she plopped her head down.
"It felt good" he twirled her hair. "I loved when your inhibitions fall down and it's just you and me exploring each other. You taking some initiative also made my night. It felt so good, lass"
"Yes, it did" Adelaide said, "I never have made love quite like that- we have so much..." she paused, thinking of the right word...
"Chemistry?" Neil supplied.
"Yes...and fire" she said, her eyes wide at the memory, "Where does that come from?"
Neil laughed, "We both have tempers that fuel that fire. We are both intense individuals, Adelaide, and that comes out in our love making"
"We lock heads at time"
"Natural, given our personalities" Neil nodded, "but truthfully, considering what I know about your will...I still can't fathom how you and Simon never fought"
"Are you teasing me?" she asked.
"A bit, but also being truthful" Neil said.
"He just..." she sighed, "I don't know...understood me well. Our temperaments were well suited"
Neil chuckled, "Ours aren't at times"
She leaned up, "no, but you make me feel so alive, Neil, especially when we are head to head"
He grinned. "I love that"
She sighed and snuggled back down against his chest. "I'm not a fool"
"No, you aren't, but that man is"
"Yes" she acknowledged. "I want to baptize Simon and I want to go back to church"
"Very well" he conceded. "I would never deny that"
She sighed, "And our children?"
There was silence for a few minutes.
"Neil?" Adelaide's heart hammered, "You will actually let me raise our children in my faith, won't you?"
Neil's fingers danced along her lower back, "Let's revisit it when we actually have children, okay, lass?" he suggested.
"Neil" Adelaide bit her lip, anxious, "I never considered you wouldn't"
He could feel her tension at the thought.
"I'm not saying no" Neil said, quietly, "I'm saying it's a decision I can't think about now. It must be fully considered"
"Why are you so antagonistic about God?" she leaned up, "you are often passionate about something you don't think is real"
"He's taken everything from me" he muttered, "And from these people who still believe in a God who cares little for them"
"Hum" Adelaide looked him in his eyes. "I think bad things happen. God doesn't always prevent it, but that is the result of the fall"
"How can you say that? You lost the love of your life" Neil's eyes searched her. "Simon was so faithful and he took his life at thirty years old and left you with a son who will never know his father. How can you still believe in a God that is good and just?"
"He's given me gifts in spite of the sorrow" Adelaide whispered.
"What gifts?" he insisted.
"Simon is a gift"
"Aye, I'll give you that" he nodded. He couldn't deny that. The child was a blessing to both of them.
"And you" she looked at him intensely, "I think you are a gift given to me when I needed it the most. He gave me your friendship and then your love"
Neil looked troubled. "My love for you doesn't have anything to do with Him"
"It has everything to do with Him" Adelaide said, firmly, "Where do you think that love came from that planted in your heart so quickly? Certainly a rational man like yourself wouldn't allow himself to fall in love so quickly with a woman carrying another man's child"
"You always underestimate yourself"
"No, I know myself, Neil. I'm a horrible housewife and I'm moody half the time, yet you overlook it all. That's called grace and that comes from him too"
He grunted and then pushed her head down gently to rest back on his chest. "Snuggle time shouldn't contain such deep thinking or you keeping popping up and down" he chided, "Rest now"
"Okay" Adelaide snuggled back down, giving it up right away.
"Is that it?" Neil asked, amused. "I thought you would put some more cents in there"
She laughed, "I told Christy not to preach at you and I stand by it"
"You are a good wife, lass" Neil rubbed her back, tenderly. She melted into him further under his touch.
"Even if I forgot to do your laundry?" she asked, wryly.
"Ah hah" Neil chuckled, "I knew you forgot, woman. All this talk about the baby" He swatted her backside hard. "That was downright sneaky of you"
"Oh, shoot" Adelaide groaned, "That was an unintended slip. We make love and I'm just loose my mind- you are just so appealing to me. I can't control my thinking" her voice turned flirty and Neil laughed, the deep rumble shaking her.
"You are a horrible flirt, wife" Neil said, amused.
"Now, now" Adelaide continued, "I thought you just said I was beguiling"
"Don't you know?" He cupped the side of her face, "You are beguiling to me by just being you"
She practically melted at how lovely he was being towards her and he added, "But I do love your attempts at distraction"
"I wasn't trying to distract you" Adelaide protested, lightly.
"Oh?" Neil asked, his voice deepening, "what was your intention, Mrs. MacNeill?" There was a challenge in his voice.
She moved over so she could whisper in his ear, "Now that we have actually made up, I think we should try to do this properly, what do you say, Doctor MacNeill?"
She squealed as Neil suddenly shifted her and pinned her against him and to begin to kiss her again, words not necessary between them at the moment. It only occurred to her much later when she was tucked up in bed next to Neil that while they found their peace, they didn't resolve their differences. And that thought worried her.