A/N: Thanks all who continue to read and review. :)

Different Path Chapter 13

March rolled into April, then May. Christy discovered her pregnancy in early May, much to the joy of them all. Neil was gone often, but overall Adelaide was content. She still hadn't told Neil that she loved him and while it was still a source of anxiety for her to say those words, Neil never pushed her, even though they had been married for a few months. He was content with letting her figure out her role as his wife and at the same time, a new mother...as well as her place in the Cove at her own pace.

In late May, Adelaide was going through some correspondences. Neil was gone again, having been called away to visit some sick patients. He had been gone for two days, but she wasn't overly worried. That wasn't abnormal. She reached for the calendar to find the date to address her letter, when what she saw stopped her in her tracks. It was the end of May- May had flown by in a blur...and with it, she completely missed the fact that her cycle was late. She had already had two regular cycles since she had the baby, so it caused her to pause that she was so late. Perhaps, nursing was interrupting her rhythm. Since they depended on her rhythm as their birth control, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that they miscalculated in which case she could be expecting again. Adelaide chewed on her thumb, deep in contemplation, not sure what to think.

When her cycle first returned, Neil had suggested other ways to prevent pregnancy, but Adelaide wasn't overly comfortable using them. In a moment of frustration, he had told her that she was a nurse and she should be a grown up about it, but a sensitive Adelaide responded that using her cycles had worked for her and Simon, so she didn't see the issue. He had glared at her for a few moments, before relaxing, giving her a kiss and telling her it was her decision. Perhaps she should have been a little more open to new ideas, but the views that were instilled in her since childhood wasn't so easy to give up. She knew he didn't understand her in that way, especially since she was comfortable with medicine and surgery, but when it came to her body, she was so vastly different.

She twisted a tendril of hair and sighed, putting aside the paper to respond later. She was just about to check on lunch when Neil opened the door.

"Adelaide"

At the uncharacteristic and undeniable stress in his voice, she looked up immediately, "Neil, what is it?" she asked shocked at his grave, haggard expression. She knew right away something was terribly wrong.

"I need you to pack a bag for you and Simon" he told her, still standing at the door, "you are going home"

She froze, her heart hammering fast. "Home?" she shook her head, "wait, what is happening?"

"It's typhoid" he said, "I need you in Asheville. Your sister is going..."

"My sister is not me" Adelaide pushed herself up to step around the table.

"Stop!" Neil held us his hand, "I don't want you to come any closer to me"

"Neil" Adelaide took a breath, but stopped moving, "Didn't you disinfect properly?" She knew the answer to that, Neil always too every precaution especially when coming home to her and Simon.

"I changed clothes and disinfected at the mission"

"Then for God's sake, just come inside and talk to me"

"There is nothing to talk about" he said, quietly, "I need you to do as I say now"

"Not until we talk about this" she said, "come inside" she gestured for him, "Tell me what is going on"

"Adelaide" his voice was low, "do not fight me on this"

She bit her lip, indecisiveness plaguing her, "How many cases are there?" she finally asked.

"Two"

"And do you think it will spread?"

"Aye"

"I feel safe out here" she said, quietly, "I could pick something up on the train...or on the way to the train. I'm so isolated here...there are days that go by when I don't see anyone. They only people I see are the ones who specifically come for visits"

"All the more reason to go. What if you get sick and you are alone here?"

"I use the phone to call the mission"

He let out a long breath, "I need you in Asheville, away from all of this"

"I really think you are overreacting" Adelaide crossed her arms. "Two cases do not constitute an epidemic...and I'm a nurse, I know how to prevent the spread of disease..."

"Damn it, Adelaide" Neil finally snapped, slamming his hand on the door frame. "Just do what you are told for once in your life"

"I'm your wife, Neil, not your child...I don't just obey your orders...and what will me going to Asheville accomplish?" she said, "there are typhoid cases in Asheville from time to time...for all we know there could be two cases there as we speak...there were incidents before and I didn't leave town because of them"

"You very well know that you were not near the parts of Asheville that had those cases" Neil said, angrily, "Use your head"

"I worked at the clinic" Adelaide said, quietly, "I was exposed to illnesses. I didn't catch anything"

"I want you in Asheville. It is far safer" he insisted.

"You can't just send me away with every epidemic" she said, swallowing hard, "I can't run scared. We can't let fear rule us."

"She died, Adelaide" Neil said, "you of all people should know why I am doing this"

"But Neil..." Adelaide took another breath, "we decided..." she stopped, deciding to reason with him from a different angle, "I will boil the water from the creek...and the water from the well, if that is your concern. I will do whatever you think I need to do to stay safe. I won't even ask to help you with this if it turns into an epidemic, but I have to be here. I will never be accepted as your wife and as part of this community if I run home to mommy and daddy every time things get hard...or dangerous. I'll always be considered as an outsider."

"Adelaide" Neil's voice was uncharacteristically harsh, "none of that matters to me...pack your bags now"

"Will you not even discuss this with me?" she said, tears coming to her eyes, "you promised you would not be so heavy handed with me"

"I could be a lot more heavy handed with you now if I wished" Neil argued. "I'm not dragging you out of the cabin, am I?"

"But will you if I refuse?" she challenged.

He didn't falter, "Absolutely, in a heartbeat"

She grimaced, "Just take a moment and let's think about this more. Talk this through with me, please"

"There is nothing for us to talk about" he said, "you are going home"

"This is my home...here with you, Neil" Adelaide said, trying to fight the tears that were forming.

"It is the only safe option for you and for Simon. Think about your son...do you want him to catch this blasted thing?"

"Our son" Adelaide corrected, twisting her hands, "and of course I don't...but what happens if you get ill? I would want to be here for you...I need to be here for you"

"I wouldn't want you near me"

"Neil" Adelaide's eyes grew wide, "how can you say that?"

"Easily" Neil retorted, "do you think I want to be the reason you die, Adelaide?"

"It wouldn't be you...you don't hold life and death in your hands" Adelaide answered, "only God does"

"Do not speak to me of your God now! I will not having you use your religion as justification to act stupidly"

"But I'm not acting stupidly" she said, calmly, "I want to be your helpmate. Your wife. You decided to marry me. We made vows...in sickness and in health...please, Neil, don't send me away. I can't bear to be so far from you...especially when the Cove is in crisis"

"Why?" Neil asked, shrugging, his heard hardening to her, "you don't listen to me. Clearly, you have so little respect for me as head of this household" he paused, "your sister didn't give David such a hard time about it. Why can't you be more like her?"

The statement hit her in the core. He knew about how inferior she felt to Christy growing up because she was so different from her sister. He knew how sensitive she was to the fact that he loved Christy before her. What was he doing? Is this how he really felt? Adelaide felt sick.

"Since the mission could very well house some sick patients, it makes sense for her to go elsewhere. I'm isolated out here" Her heart ached and she had a hard time wrapping her mind around this swift change of events. She swallowed hard, "If it gets worse, I'll go to Asheville. But this is my home now. Can we at least see what happens before rushing to judgment?"

"I'm not being impulsive. I know how typhoid works in these conditions" he let out his breath, his eyes still angry, "You made vows to me...to obey me"

"What about for better or for worse?" Adelaide said, softly, "we can't just supersede one part of our vows for another. They are all equally important"

"If I knew" Neil's voice was low, "if I knew how you would behave in this moment, fighting me...in the moment I need you to just submit without question...I would never have made them to begin with"

It was a side of Neil that she hadn't ever truly seen- at least not directed at her. He was being so obstinate, so unreasonable, so hurtful. She didn't know how to proceed, what to feel at the moment. Somehow she felt if that she left, they would never be on strong footing again. In her heart she felt like she needed to tell him how she felt...that the thought of him going through this alone...the thought of him possibly falling ill and her being miles away...the thought of him dying here without her...it was too much to bear because she loved him. Desperately and completely loved him...

But she also saw the way he was looking at her. He wasn't going to budge. And she was hurt. He was pushing her away so hard, so uncharacteristic of their relationship. She had to admit that when Neil told her of the problems in his previous marriage, she attributed a lot of it to Margaret. But now, she saw how unreasonable he could be at times...how stubborn...how unyielding.

"Adelaide" there was a holler in the yard.

"That's David and Christy" Neil said, "you need to pack. You can buy your tickets at the station"

"I'm leaving now?" Adelaide said, "now?"

"Aye, now. The sooner the better" Neil retorted. "You'll take the afternoon train. You know where the money is. Take what you need for the train tickets"

The tears spilled down but she turned away before he could see them, not saying a word as she headed upstairs.

She quickly threw things together in her traveling bag for her and for Simon, a few dresses, her hair brush, her bible, diapers and clothes for Simon. She figured what she forgot that she would just buy in Asheville. She reached for her small bag that she carried around the Cove and put some more diapers and essentials for Simon in that. She carried her two bags downstairs and then headed to the lab to pack a few more things.

On an impulse she opened the box to Neil's patient files, looking through the alphabetized ones to Napier...although her file was not filed under the N files. Neil had changed her name on her file, switching it to MacNeill and filed it appropriately under M. She sniffled and pulled it out, shoving in her small bag. She went to find the money in the drawer to his desk, pulling out a few bills for the train tickets and putting them in her wallet.

"Adelaide" Neil called.

"I'm coming" She shut the drawer, "I just need to change Simon"

"Do you have enough things?" he asked, "your bag is awfully small. It could be several weeks that you are there"

"Weeks?" Adelaide swiftly moved to the door so she could see him again, "Are you sending me away for weeks?"

"Aye, do you have enough?"

"I'll buy what I need in Asheville"

"Take more money then"

"I'm not taking more money from you"

"Aye, I insist" he said, "or at the very least keep track of what you spend"

"If you wish" she went back into the lab, Simon cooing at the sound of his parents' voices. She reached to pick him up and then laid him on the bed and changed his diaper. She threw the wet cloth in the pail and reached for her wrap, holding it and Simon in her arms.

Neil was still standing at the door. David and Christy were in the wagon in the yard. She sideswiped Neil and went to the wagon- handing Simon up to Christy and giving her bags to David.

She went back to step on the porch. "Neil"

He was leaning against the wall to the cabin, utterly defeated.

Tell him you love him, now, before it is too late.

The urgings of her heart were so strong, but as she stood there, she realized she couldn't say those words. Not now...not when things were so unsettled between then...not when she very much felt like she was losing him...emotionally, physically...she was losing him.

"Aye?"

She sniffled, "Don't leave the dirty diapers for the next few weeks. It's going to create a huge smell and I don't have time to do the laundry right now"

"That' s fine. Are they in the pail?"

"Of course. And there is some lunch on the stove for you. Eat something before you go back out"

"Alright"

She wanted to say more. She just didn't know what.

"Will you call?" she asked, quietly, shifting heavily on her feet.

"Aye"

"Okay" she turned on her heels without another word at him, not looking back but she did hear the door slam and Neil pounding it as she left.

"Adelaide?" Christy shifted Simon in her arms on the train, "Are you alright?"

They were an hour into their train ride and thankfully Simon was blissfully unaware of the drama.

"No" she leaned her head back, looking up at the ceiling, trying to prevent fresh tears from escaping.

She reached for her hand, "What happened?"

"He can't just send me away like this, Christy. I'm his wife. Cutter Gap is my home now. I'm always going to be the outsider who runs when things get hard. I believe I could handle it- disinfect appropriately and not get sick. But he was just too obstinate to see it my way...and then when I disagreed with him, he said some hurtful things to me"

Christy squeezed her hand, "We all say hurtful things when we are mad or upset or scared. I'm sure he didn't mean them"

"Still" Adelaide took a breath, "What if he does?"

"What did he say?"

"That I should be more like you, who just agreed to leave peacefully..."

Christy laughed, "David and I had been talking about it for an entire day...and there were some fights between us too. In the end, if the mission needs to be used as a sick house with me being pregnant, it is too much to risk. Plus, I had been aching for a trip home for a while, but believe me I did not just agree quietly"

"And that makes sense" she said, "but our cabin is so isolated from everyone...I could have been just fine"

"Margaret wasn't though"

"Margaret wasn't a nurse. I know how to take every precaution possible..." Adelaide said, quietly.

Christy nodded her agreement, "That's true"

"He said he wished he never married me"

Christy's inhaled. "I'm positive he didn't mean it"

She shrugged and twisted her ring. "I'm not convinced of that now" She sighed, "Let's not talk about this...not right now" she reached for Simon who had begun to fuss, "He needs to be fed"

She threw her wrap over the two of them and nursed her son, wishing for the privacy and security of her home.

"Adelaide" Julia knocked on her door.

"Come in, mother" she wiped at her eyes and then struggled to sit up.

Julia went over to sit on her bed. She touched her knee lightly, "Is Simon in bed?"

"Yes"

"Darling" Julia took a breath, "I have left you alone for a week, but clearly, something is wrong. Won't you tell me about it? Your father and I are so worried about you"

She sniffled, "I just...I can't even begin to talk about it, mother"

"I'm sure Doctor MacNeill was just acting in your best interest" Julia offered. "And you must know he is so busy"

"David still makes time to call every day" Adelaide said, softly, "I don't want a phone call every day. One call would have been enough to ask if Simon and I made it okay and to give me a quick update"

"Perhaps he assumes that you are getting your updates through Christy"

Adelaide shrugged and remained silent.

"You seem so hurt, Adelaide" Julia pressed gently, "Typhoid is so serious and given Doctor MacNeill's history with the disease, surely you understand..."

"I understand his perspective and the disease is spreading, but mother, it's not anywhere near our cabin. I could have stayed. I could have been near Neil if he needed me"

"I'm sure he doesn't need you..."

Her voice cracked, "then that is a problem in itself, mother"

"Adelaide, darling" Julia began, but Adelaide lowered her head.

"I love you, mother, but I need to be alone"

"Very well" Julia squeezed her shoulder, "Are you sure you are feeling well otherwise? You aren't eating much"

"I'll be fine" Adelaide tried to look reassuring, but the truth was since she arrived in Asheville, she had been quite nauseous and was vomiting once a day. She wanted to attribute it to the stress of the rift in her relationship, but her cycle still hadn't arrived and with each passing day, she felt like there was a very good possibility that she was expecting again.

"Do you need anything before I retire?"

Adelaide leaned forward to give her a kiss on the cheek, "I'm sorry, mother, I know you are trying to help. I just...I suppose I just need time to figure this out for myself"

"Of course" Julia kissed her head, "Sleep well, darling girl"

"Goodnight, mother"

"Adelaide" Edward reached for her outstretched hand, "I missed you"

"I've missed you too, Edward" Adelaide murmured, "I'm glad my parents convinced you to stay for supper"

"I'm just sorry your sister is feeling so poorly with this pregnancy" Edward said.

"I told Mother and Father that she would be fine, but they insisted on calling you" she gave him a wry smile, "some things never change"

"And then some are so vastly different" Edward said as Simon giggled in her arms. "May I see him?"

"Of course, Ed" Adelaide handed Simon to Edward. "come into the sitting room with me. I'm not sure where Mother and Father disappeared to"

Edward sat with Simon and bounced him gently, "He looks so much like his father" Simon smiled up at him and giggled, "And a charmer like his mother apparently"

Adelaide laughed, "Yes, indeed, but I am completely biased"

"As every good mother should be" Ed assured her. He looked up from where he was watching Simon. "I'm sorry that I haven't made it out to Cutter Gap for a visit. I should have at least checked on you and met this little one"

"We have been writing to each other" Adelaide pointed out.

"Yes, but it is not the same" he said.

"No I suppose not"

They were quiet for a few moments before Adelaide broke the silence, "Ed?"

"Yes?" he looked over at her.

"I never told you..." she struggled.

"Told me what?"

"That I'm sorry we had the burial so quickly" Adelaide twisted her hands, "I just wanted to...I needed to get it over with"

"That's completely understandable" Edward said, still bouncing Simon. "I want you to know I would have come"

"I know you would have. You were Simon's best friend. I should have ensured you had enough time to travel from Asheville if you wished. I was in such a daze after his death"

"I was so surprised by your letter saying you remarried" Ed said, his voice quiet, "You explained your reasons why, but it just seemed so sudden"

"Neil is" Adelaide paused, "well, he is..." she paused again...

"Yes?" Edward raised an eyebrow.

"Dynamic" Adelaide offered, biting her lip.

"I see" Edward looked at her, quizzically, "Adelaide, is there something wr..." his voice trailed off as Julia entered the room to tell them supper was ready.

Supper was a comfortable affair, with natural conversation flowing easily between the four adults. When it finished, Edward stayed for a while, playing with Simon. Adelaide knew that her Simon would have wanted his best friend to have a relationship with their son and she also wished to encourage Edward's role in little Simon's life. One day, Simon would ask a lot of questions about his daddy and she hoped his best friend would be able to provide some of those answers for him.

Finally, Edward handed Simon back to Adelaide and stood, "I must be going" he said, reluctantly, "though this has been a fun evening"

"I agree" Adelaide smiled at him, "It is so good to reconnect with old friends"

"Indeed it is"

Adelaide stood as well, "Mother, will you take Simon while I walk Edward out?"

"Of course, darling, take your time" Julia said, perceptively. She could sense that Adelaide needed a friend that was far removed from her family.

Adelaide stepped onto the porch with Edward. "Do you have time in your schedule for me tomorrow?" she asked, her voice low.

"Of course" Edward answered, easily, "Is this a social or medical visit?"

"Medical" she said, quietly, "but I want to keep the particulars between you and myself"

"I understand. Two O'Clock?" he asked.

She nodded, "I'll tell mother I wanted to check in on the office building. May I bring Simon?"

"I'd love for you to bring Simon. Stella has been asking after you. She was so excited to learn that you were back in town"

"Is she working tomorrow as well?"

"She'll be there" Edward nodded, "She's the best nurse I know...I'm so lucky she stayed on after Simon..." he shifted, "well, best nurse I know besides you, of course, Adelaide"

She chuckled, "You can think Stella is a better nurse than I am" she said. "I'm not offended"

"I'll see you tomorrow then"

He nodded and took his leave, but instead of going inside, Adelaide sat on the rocker for a good long time, watching the people pass by.

"What is this?" Edward asked as he took the file from her hands.

"Neil's notes on my pregnancy history and my delivery" she said, "I was very ill for a while with Simon and then the delivery was less than ideal, but you can read all of that in his notes"

He inclined his head, "You didn't eat much dinner last night"

"Did you notice that?"

He nodded, "I did. And the fact that you looked queasy at times during the night"

"I vomited the little I ate after you left"

"How long has that been going on?"

"Since I arrived in Asheville"

"And how often are you nauseous?"

"All day"

He frowned, "And do you vomit often?"

"Once a day" she said, forlorn.

"And you are attributing this to a pregnancy?" he asked. "Do you have any other symptoms?"

"I'm exhausted...and moody...and" Adelaide paused, "I had two cycles after Simon was born, but the last was two months ago, Edward. I think there is a good possibility I am"

"Seems that way" Edward flipped through Neil's notes, "These are very detailed"

"Neil is thorough" she said, with a small smile, "he is an excellent physician"

Edward read for a few more minutes, deep in thought, when he was done, he looked up.

"Let me examine you, then we can talk further" he said. "I'll call Stella back again. She can hold Simon in our exam room while I examine you"

"Very well" Adelaide said, resigned.

"What is this? No fight?" he asked, amused.

"I really think I have lost all fight that I had in me" she said, sighing.

"Now, I know that you are feeling ill" He sobered up. "I'm calling Stella and then I think you and I should talk"

"I agree" she nodded and let him lead the way to the exam room.

"I'm sure Stella is fine with the baby" Edward said, handing her a cup of tea, "drink this. It should help soothe your stomach"

She took small sips. "So, do you think I am due the same time as my sister?"

He nodded, "I do, though while Christy is feeling poorly, I suspect that your morning sickness will be worse than hers, considering you have already vomited several times"

She swallowed hard, "I'm having a hard time hiding it from my parents. I'm thankful my room is in the opposite side of the house"

"Adelaide, there is no way you'll be able to hide this from your parents, especially if you are as bad off as you were with Simon" Edward said, "and I still don't understand the reason for secrecy to begin with"

"I don't want them to call Neil" she said, looking at her teacup sitting in her lap.

"Why not?"

"He sent me away, Edward" Adelaide said, quietly, "forced me to leave our home...even if it was for my supposed safety, he hasn't called me once in the two weeks I have been in Asheville. David and Christy talk once a day...and I get nothing"

"If there is a typhoid epidemic, then your husband is probably quite busy" Edward said. "you know how it is to be a doctor's wife"

"I understand he is busy and I don't really expect him to call often, but one phone call every once in a while might be nice. They are using the mission as a makeshift hospital. I know he is near the phone at least some of the time" she paused, "this is abnormal for Neil, Ed. He usually is very good about checking in with me when he is gone for periods at a time. He knows I worry"

"Have you tried calling him?"

"No" she looked up at him, "and I'm not doing that" her lip began to tremble.

"He has hurt you" Edward commented, "oh, Adelaide, don't cry" he reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and then went to sit next to her. He took her teacup from her shaking hands and placed the handkerchief in her hands.

Adelaide wiped her eyes, "I'm must be overly emotional from the pregnancy"

"No" Edward touched her arm, lightly, "but you are upset...and some of it is justifiable, though I understand why Doctor MacNeill sent you to Asheville...it still must have been hard for you to leave especially as you were making a new life with him...and scary for you to think of something happening to him given what happened to Simon"

"Exactly" Adelaide sniffled, "I'm just so worried about him and...some of these families have become my friends. Neil is always so reassuring to my fears and now, I'm just lost in them. I don't want to think of any of them dying. I care about them. And Neil is probably running himself ragged like he usually does and he has no one to bully him into getting some rest. I'm worried his exhaustion will make him more susceptible to illness...Doctoring the cove is so hard, Ed. He goes so through much and while he is the strongest person I know, I'm afraid he has a tendency to become bitter. I don't know what is going on with him because he hasn't called and" she held her hand to her chest, "My mind is just racing" she sniffled, and then wiped her face again, "I'm sorry, I hate crying"

"I know you do" Edward said, kindly, "Still, Adelaide, I must say from friend to friend, if it was my wife, even if I was dealing with so much, I would want to know about my child"

"He'll know about his child, Ed. Just not at the moment"

"So, what you are thinking, Adelaide?"

"If I tell my mother and father, they will insist on me calling Neil especially if I start to fall ill"

"What is the alternative though?"

She twisted his handkerchief, "Well, I do have a home in Asheville..."

He raised his eyebrows, "Do you want to stay in your house?"

"My parents are hovering."

"They are understandably worried about you. You aren't acting like yourself."

She nodded, "I know, but I need space, especially with my morning sickness."

"I would expect your morning sickness to worsen in the coming days" he said, "you'll need help with the baby"

"I just need to be in my house again, Edward" she said, quietly, "If I get too ill, I'll reevaluate things."

He nodded, "Very well. Your mother and father have maintained it so it shouldn't need much work to make it livable again."

"I checked on it yesterday and I think it is fine to move right in again" she nodded, "brings back an awful lot of memories though."

"Are you sure this won't open old wounds?" he asked, the concern in his voice.

"I'm not sure" Adelaide said, "but I'm willing to take the chance. I don't know how long I will be in Asheville for. If it is for a long while, I want to have my life separate from my parents. And I need time to think about all that has happened."

"I understand" Edward said, "the epidemic could last several more weeks."

"I know" she nodded, "I'm praying it won't."

"I have some concerns about this pregnancy" Edward said, his voice gentle, "but I don't want to alarm you"

She swallowed hard, "I have the same concerns. We didn't anticipate...that is to say, we were careful, but...given my delivery with Simon to be pregnant again so soon, I know my body hasn't fully recovered and that is worrisome...I'm worried about it myself" she gave him a small smile, "so please don't lecture me about it"

"Of course" he said, "but do try to rest as much as possible even with the baby" he looked concerned, "are you sure you want to move into your house?"

"Positive" Adelaide said as Stella came back in the room with Simon.

"There's my baby" Adelaide stood, holding her arms out for Simon.

"Did I hear you were moving back into your house?" Stella asked, exchanging a look with Edward as she handed Adelaide the baby, "are you sure that is wise, Adelaide?"

She shrugged, "Probably not, but I need some independence from my parents at the moment"

"I'm still worried you will overdo it" Edward said, frowning.

"I'm a mother of a six month old, Edward. I'm sure that is inevitable"

"Still, I would feel better if you had someone else there with you" Edward said.

"Could your sister come?" Stella suggested.

"Yes, but I'm not sure what help she would be considering she is in the same situation I am in" Adelaide said, "minus the six month old of course"

Stella thought for a moment, "Why don't I stay with you for a while? Just until you feel settled and we see how your morning sickness progresses... If you get worse, I can help you and if you are fine, then I'll move back home"

"Thank you for the lovely offer" Adelaide smiled, her face lighting up for the first time in a long while, "It would be so good to catch up again, Stella" she said, quietly.

"Then it is settled?" Edward asked, hopefully.

"It is settled" Adelaide nodded.

"Neil" Alice approached him as he was closing the door to Mountie O'Teale's room. The O'Teale children had been hit hard with Typhoid and Swannie was unable to care for them properly. They ended up moving the sick ones to the mission.

"Aye?" he took off the cover he was wearing.

"How is little Mountie?"

"Still quite ill" Neil said, sighing, "I'm not sure if she'll pull through" He tossed his cover in the basket they kept for laundry and then began to thoroughly disinfect his hand in the small basin they kept in the hallway.

She looked at him, "Why don't thee go and rest?"

"I'm fine" he said, his tone short, "I need to go and check on some cases in Low Gap. It's spreading all over the damn place, Alice"

"I know" Alice said, softly, "but perhaps thee should rest first"

"We could really use an extra set of hands" Neil said, "that is what we need"

"We could really use Adelaide" Alice said, quietly.

"There is no way that I would ever let her help with this" he told her, gruffly, "not with the babe being so young"

"Thee hasn't mentioned Adelaide's name once, Neil" she pressed, gently, "David has talked to Christy almost every day. He said that William and Julia are worried about Adelaide and are unsure of what to do. They don't want to bother thee when thee is so busy..."

"They shouldn't be talking to Grantland about my wife to begin with"

"Adelaide is adamant that they don't talk to thee about it, but they are concerned" Alice's eyes held his, "What is going on between thee and thy wife?"

"Don't pry Alice" Neil said as they walked down the stairs together.

"I'm not trying to pry" Alice said, "but I love Adelaide like a daughter, Neil...and thee are special to me too"

Neil found his bag and went to the closet to where they kept the medical supplies, him beginning to pack more for his trip.

"Adelaide and I didn't leave things on the best terms" he admitted, stopping for a moment, "she...she wanted to stay"

"Of course she wanted to stay" Alice said, her voice gentle, "She's your wife...being so far away, not knowing what is going on, it must be heart-wrenching for her, especially given her past history...she loves thee so much"

"She's never once said that" he began to pack again.

"Neil MacNeill" Alice grabbed his arm, stopping him, "thee knows thy wife loves thee. It's a clear as day to all that know the two of thee...maybe what thee should be asking thy wife is not whether she loves thee, but why she is guarding what is clearly in her heart"

"I don't have time for that now" Neil snapped, "and if you must know I haven't called Adelaide because I can't bear to hear the hurt and pain in her voice"

"But if thee could ease that...offer some reassurance..."

"What reassurance can I give her? Death is all around us, Alice. There is no end in sight. I have no reassurance to offer her so I let her be because I don't know what to say to her" He snapped his bag closed. "I have to go"

"Rest, Doctor MacNeill before going" she said. He waved her off and left without another word.

Alice bowed her head and began to pray for the MacNeills...and the entire Cove.

A/N: please review...