Sorry this is so short! I will try to get another chapter up this weekend. Read and review!
"Ruby Mae?" David asked, stepping into the kitchen. "Where is Miss Alice?"
"She had to leave earlier. Someone over in Raven Gap needed her."
"Oh…" David looked around. "Is Christy up yet?"
Ruby Mae looked at him and shook her head. "No. I wanted to go check on her, but I'm afraid she's still angry with me for eavesdropping last night."
David put his hand on her shoulder. "It's fine, Ruby Mae. I'll wake her."
Neil suddenly appeared in the open doorway, medical bag in hand. "I thought I'd give Christy and that baby a quick check-up before school if she doesn't mind. Where is she?"
"I was just about to go wake her," David informed him.
David took the steps two at a time until he reached Christy's door, aware that Neil was a few steps behind him. Knocking softly, he heard nothing so he slowly turned the knob and opened the door.
"Christy?"
She was still asleep, curled up tightly beneath the blankets. David smiled and moved toward her. He leaned down and pressed his lips gently to her's. She moaned and stirred, opening her eyes and smiling.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," David teased softly.
"Hi…" Christy breathed out.
David stroked her hair out of her face. "Neil's here to check on you before school."
She looked past David to where Neil was standing at the foot of her bed, watching them with an unidentifiable look on his face.
"Morning, Christy."
"Good morning."
"I'll leave you if that's alright. Ruby Mae has breakfast when you're ready," David told her.
"Thanks, David."
"Love you," David whispered, kissing the top of her head before disappearing.
Neil opened his medical bag as Christy sat up in bed, hugging herself self-consciously. "Since when does the preacher wake you up with a kiss?"
Christy avoided his question, answering it with another. "Did Margaret stay with you last night?"
"Alright, fair enough…" Neil shrugged. "No more questions about that."
Christy nodded, satisfied that she wouldn't be asked to analyze her heart this early in the morning. "What do I need to do?"
"Just lay back," Neil said, moving toward her. She complied and he reached down and pressed his fingers gently into her stomach.
She moaned.
"Does that hurt?"
"No. It's just uncomfortable."
Neil took her hand and placed it over her stomach. "Do you feel that firmness?"
Christy nodded.
"That is the baby in there, already growing."
"It was twelve weeks ago…" Christy informed him.
Neil nodded. "When was your last cycle?"
Christy blushed. "Umm… two weeks before that I think."
"You're thirteen to fourteen weeks along then," Neil said.
"Shouldn't I be bigger by now?" Christy asked in concern.
"Not necessarily. This is your first time."
Christy nodded as Neil put on his stethoscope. He pressed it to her abdomen, moving it around until he heard the baby's heartbeat. He smiled and listened for a minute, catching Christy's eyes in his. She saw his face, and looked intrigued.
"Miss Huddleston, would you like to hear your baby's heartbeat?" Neil asked.
She nodded and he helped her put the stethoscope in her ears, using one hand to hold the other part to her abdomen. She frowned at first and he moved it slightly, watching her face light up. Tears started forming in her eyes.
"That's the most amazing thing I've ever heard," She whispered, as she handed the stethoscope back to him.
He smiled and nodded. "Yes. I know the feeling."
"Neil… You and Margaret lost a baby didn't you?" Christy guessed, sadly.
Neil sighed and nodded, sitting on the bed beside her. "Yes. But it was a long time ago, Christy."
"But it still hurts doesn't it?"
"Yes. Especially when I'm around her, and I remember that pain all over again. That was one of the worst nights of my life."
"I'm sorry, Neil…"
Christy desperately wanted to hug him, but she didn't want to hurt her dear friend anymore.
"I'll leave so you can get ready for school. Everything seems to be fine. Morning sickness is normal, but if you feel anything out of the ordinary, send for me right away if Miss Alice isn't here."
"I will. Thank you, Neil."
Neil disappeared out the door faster than she'd ever seen him go before. She hurried through her morning preparations, fighting off the morning sickness that had been bothering her so much lately. When she came downstairs, David noticed her smile.
"I heard the baby's heartbeat!" Christy announced as he pulled out her chair for her.
"Really?" David asked.
"Yes. Dr. MacNeill says everything seems to be fine."
"Good. I'm glad, Christy."
They held hands and prayed just before Ruby Mae brought in the food. Christy's stomach lurched at the eggs being placed in front of her and she hurriedly rushed from the room, David standing and watching with concern. He followed her outside to where she was throwing up behind a tree.
"Christy?" David asked, touching her back.
When she finished, she straightened and David wrapped his arm around her, holding her firmly against him.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. It's just morning sickness. I'm not very hungry."
"This baby is going to give you a hard time isn't it?"
"Probably."
"Let's hope not." David placed his lips to her temple before leading her back inside.