River Deep, Mountain High
Standard disclaimers apply to this piece of Christy fan fiction.
This story continues where the TV series left off. Any similarities to other works of Christy fan fiction are purely coincidental.
A/N: We're getting close to the end now! Hope you enjoy the latest update. Thanks to everyone for their feedback and reviews.
Chapter 46
The next two weeks flew by in a whirlwind of activity. Not only were the Huddlestons still visiting in Cutter Gap, but Christy was especially busy with the preparations for the big end-of-term recitation before the school children began their six-week long summer holiday. With David and all the children excitedly pitching in, the final day of school was a tremendous success. Each student gave a special presentation or demonstration of a talent or something particular that they had learned during the year to an audience consisting of their parents, former students, the mission folk, Julia and William Huddleston, and other important citizens of the Cove such as Doctor MacNeill and town squire Uncle Bogg. Even Doctor Ferrand had come to the Cove during fortuitous timing to witness the great progress that the students had made with the help of their teacher, Miss Huddleston. Everyone was very impressed and praised 'Teacher' highly for her accomplishments, but it was the students themselves who Christy thought were deserving of the most accolades. It was a wonderful day for everyone and the perfect ending to the long, but fulfilling school year.
Between spending time with her parents and arrangements for the big Recitation Day, Christy found little time to spend with Neil alone. He had come to the Mission house several times for supper and even took her and her parents on a private tour of Cutter Gap. But Christy missed the more intimate times with him that she had become accustomed to and had grown to love during their months courting. Now that school was in recess for several weeks, Christy looked forward to having more time to enjoy Neil's company.
The Saturday after school let out, Neil invited Christy to join him for a picnic by the river near his cabin for a nice respite from all the activity at the Mission. It was a beautiful day. It was almost summer; yet the weather was still breezy enough not to be stifling hot. The air gently flowing off the surface of the water made it that much more pleasant.
Christy and Neil sat on a blanket by the river, enjoying the companionship of one another and the lovely peacefulness of the setting. It seemed like the first time in ages that they were able to talk together without worrying about who else was around to hear them. As they conversed and ate their lunch, Christy kept thinking how much at home she felt. She felt so comfortable at this place, so comfortable with Neil MacNeill. Even with the realization of how much she had missed her parents since her last visit, she knew that, in Cutter Gap, her heart had truly come home.
After they finished their lunch, Christy served herself and Neil a big slice of peach pie. As they ate the tasty dessert, Neil seemed to grow strangely quiet all of the sudden, and Christy wondered what was on his mind.
"Fairlight helped me with the pie, Neil, so it can't be my awful cooking that has you looking like you have a stomach ache," Christy joked, yet wanting to know why he was so pensive.
The comment elicited a warm smile from the doctor. "I'm sorry, Christy. I enjoyed the lunch and the pie very much. I suppose I just have a lot on my mind."
Christy's expression dropped slightly. "Is there anything wrong?" she asked with concern.
"No, Christy," Neil assured her, placing a gentle caress on her cheek. He gazed deeply into her eyes while the breeze caused loose strands of her hair to flutter softly to tickle his skin. "In fact, for the first time in a long while, everything is very right."
He had been quiet, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, but now Neil was looking at her so tenderly that she felt her heart liquefy even as she wondered at the meaning of his words and tone. She looked at him quizzically, uncertain what he was trying to get across.
"Christy, we have been courting for several months now," he began, taking her small hand in his own larger one. "I have never been so happy before in all my life. And my feelings for you only continue to grow day by day."
She smiled at him lovingly, feeling any anxiety about Neil's change in mood disappear. "I feel the same way about you, too, Neil." She squeezed his hand gently in return.
Neil dropped his gaze from hers for an instant to quell his nerves and slow the rapid beating of his heart before lifting them back up to peer into her eyes so blue and sincere that they gave him a rush of courage. "I have a confession to make, Christy," he started, a bit tentative at first but his confidence growing with each passing moment. He leaned in closer to her, drawn by the power of her inner strength. "I love you more than I ever imagined it possible to love someone…more than life itself. You have brought me out of the darkness and into a relationship with God, and I can never thank you enough for that. You've helped teach me that I am a good doctor, and a human being worthy of love. You have such strength in you, Christy, such faith…and I need you in my life."
He paused for a moment and sighed deeply as his eyes remained locked to hers. Christy listened to him, her heart surging in her chest with love…and hope. Neil continued, marveling at the young woman who sat before him. "I need someone who understands what I do. Someone who will be there for me when I am tired. Someone who I can talk to about my patients, and who will help me care for them." Neil noticed the wry smile that slowly spread across Christy's lips as she remembered when she had said those very same words to him, only she had been referring to Daniel Scott. "Frankly, I cannot understand how I have managed this long alone. I think it is time I accepted a helpmate."
Christy held her breath unconsciously, waiting for him to say the words she longed to hear more than anything. She began to grow warm from the inside out, and she fought to keep her heart from leaping out of her chest.
"I need you, Christy, to stand beside me. To help me be the man I know you deserve," Neil said, his voice husky with emotion. "Christy Huddleston, will you marry me?"
Before she could respond, Neil pulled out a ruby ring set in gold filigree surrounded by a small diamond on either side. "It was my great, great grandmother's ring, and I would be honored if you would accept it."
Her words finally dislodged from her throat, Christy cried, "Oh, yes, Neil! Yes!"
At once, she flung her arms around Neil and held him close to her, never wanting to let go of the moment or the man she loved more than anything. He did the same, looking heavenward in gratitude as he felt the dream he had kept safeguarded in his secret heart for so long was finally coming true. He thought he might explode with sheer joy because it hardly seemed real.
Neil pulled back slightly from her and then softly guided her head back for a kiss. His lips descended upon hers with a gentle urging. Soon, they each began to give take willingly, drinking with passion and longing until they were both practically breathless with pleasure. When their lips parted, Neil caressed her face tenderly, his fingers delicately brushing away the tears of joy that fell on her rosebud cheek. Then, he took Christy's left hand in his and slid the ring on her finger. She spread her fingers and looked down at herself to see the sun dance off the beautiful gemstone. It fit perfectly. It was as if it were made for her. In her heart, she knew that it was, just as she and Neil were made for each other.
"It's so beautiful, Neil," she said, her voice filled with emotion so that it was barely above a whisper. "I'll be proud to wear your ring and be your wife."
"I want you to be sure, Christy. It will not be easy," Neil cautioned, tempering his excitement with a dose of reality. "You know my schedule as a physician takes me away from home for days at a time and often without notice. Even though I promise to always do my best never to stay away longer than necessary, I want to remind you of my obligations. I don't want to make the same mistakes I made with Margaret."
"I understand that the people of the Cove need you, and I would never stand in the way of your work, Neil," she reassured him. "Besides, I won't be alone here. I have friends all around." Christy could sense that Neil was immediately put at ease. She thought for a moment longer, until something she had not previously considered suddenly struck her. "Perhaps I can even help you. Once we announce our engagement, I'll need to discuss with Miss Alice whether the Mission will allow me to continue teaching after we are married. I might very well be in search of a new occupation. And with Dan Scott possibly off to medical school in the near future, you'll be in need of an assistant," she suggested with a grin.
"If you think you can manage to keep from fainting," Neil teased wickedly.
"Neil!" she swatted him lightly, feigning hurt. "I have assisted with at least three surgeries that I can think of and have not fainted once. You forget how far I had walked that day I first arrived," she reminded him. "I stepped off that train in El Pano and into a different world. Then I was suddenly asked to help you while you drilled a hole in Bob Allen's skull." Christy shuddered for a moment at the recollection of both the exhaustion and the culture shock she felt that first day.
"I am sorry, Christy," Neil apologized, still smiling and chuckling at her. "You performed very well during Little Burl and Mary Allen's surgeries. I could not resist teasing just a bit. After all, it is one of my earliest memories of you."
Neil and Christy fell into silence for a few minutes as they sat together by the river thinking about their future together. It seemed hard for Christy to believe the journey that her heart had taken since she came to Cutter Gap almost three years ago. Her relationship with Neil had changed so dramatically. At first, he was someone who frustrated and challenged her. He made her feel naïve and childish at times. She was not sure she even liked him. But then, she began to know Neil MacNeill better. Christy realized his devotion to his people and his profession, and she came to respect him tremendously, though he remained a mystery still for quite some time.
Likewise, Neil's original perception of Christy as a meddlesome outsider also changed when he saw her love for the children and fierce determination to help the people of the Cove. The mutual respect that developed between them led to friendship and trust. She began to understand his motivations and passions, as well as his insecurities, as he let her see glimpses of his inner self. Neil and Christy eventually became best friends. They relied on each other for support and encouragement, trusted each other with their deepest thoughts. Their relationship had grown slowly and naturally, culminating in a deep and abiding love that they both knew would last a lifetime.
Brought out of his reverie by a troubling thought, Neil's expression darkened a bit. "Christy, I just realized something. I had not thought of the possibility that you would have to give up teaching," he said sadly. "While I would be overjoyed to have you as my medical assistant, I would hate to think of you not being able to teach as a result of our marriage."
Christy simply shook her head. "Don't have second thoughts, Neil. I know I don't have any." She smiled at him brilliantly, melting away the last of his fears. "Whatever will be, will be. God will determine our paths, and I am ready to face whatever the future holds. As long as I have you by my side, I have everything I need."
Neil felt relief washing over him like a river, his heart soaring once again. "You've made me the happiest man on earth, Christy Huddleston!" he exclaimed happily. "I promise to love you and honor you all the days of my life."
Pulling her into his arms, Neil held her close, cupping her face in his hands and reveling in the warmth of her body near his. He looked into her eyes with a powerful intensity, seeing the love she had for him radiating from within. His heart instantly swelled with love and longing. He could hardly believe that soon she would be his.
"When Neil? How soon can we get married?" she asked impatiently, as if sharing the same thought.
He brushed her cheek with his thumb to feel the softness of her skin. The corners of his mouth turned up in a playful grin. "I was hoping you'd be this eager."
Puzzled by the sheepish expression on his face, Christy tilted her head at him in question.
"I must make another confession, lass" Neil began, guiltily. "I called for your parents to come to Cutter Gap. I spoke to your father weeks ago and asked his permission to marry you."
Christy looked at him, her eyes wide with astonishment. Now her parents' sudden visit made sense as well as Neil escorting them from the train station. The indefinite length of their stay was also another clue she had completely overlooked. "Neil MacNeill, I can't believe you had the audacity to try and plan something like this. How did you know for certain that I would accept?"
"I admit that I was not one hundred percent sure," Neil admitted, "but I hoped and prayed that you would. God eventually showed me a sign."
Eying him speculatively, Christy folded across her chest in mock sternness and asked, "And what sign was that?"
Neil began to look a bit embarrassed while he explained. "Oh, I happened to stop by the school house early one morning a few weeks back to drop off those chemistry books for Zady Spencer before I left for Low Gap. On your desk, I saw a slip of paper that had what appeared to be variations of your married name scribbled on it. "
As the explanation continued, Christy now took on a look of embarrassment, her face reddening deeply.
"Let's see, there was Christy MacNeill…Christy Rudd MacNeill," he remarked mischievously. "But the one I liked best was Christy Huddleston MacNeill."
Cheeks flushing a bright shade of crimson, Christy's expression soon morphed into a smile, and she laughed in spite of herself. "Far be it for me to interfere with a sign from God. I am so happy you thought to invite my parents to Cutter Gap to share in the good news. I just hope mother will forgive me for getting married so quickly. We won't have time to buy a dress or plan anything, even though none of that matters to me." She looked at him, her face full of happiness. "All I want is to be your wife, Neil."
"I am so glad, Christy," Neil told her. "But you really underestimate me, don't you? When I called your parents and asked them to come to the Cove, I told them I was planning to make you a June bride. What did you think your mother had in all those trunks and suitcases? According to Jeb Spencer, his wagon left permanent tracks in the side of the mountain starting in El Pano." Realization hit Christy all at once, and she began to understand just how intricate and complex this little scheme of Neil's had been. He certainly was sure of himself to attempt such a thing without her knowledge, she thought, and she loved him all the more for it.
He went on to explain further, "Everything has been arranged, Christy. I'm sure your mother has even brought your great grandmother Rudd's finest silver and china for the reception." He smiled at her broadly, the lilt of his Scottish brogue delighting her senses. Christy could not help but feel totally elated in return. "We can be married as soon as next Saturday, if you'd like."
"Neil, you are wonderful!" She encircled her arms around his neck and inhaled the lovely clean scent of saddle soap, pipe, and pure man that was distinctly his. "You never cease to amaze me."
Pulling away slightly, she gazed into his soft gray eyes, twinkling with pleasure in the afternoon sunshine. The breeze made his the tips of his reddish gold hair appear to dance about his face. Instinctively, she brought her hand to delicately trace the lines of his ruggedly handsome features, and she felt her heart flutter with joy, her insides growing warm at the nearness of him.
"I love you so much, Neil. I can't wait to be your bride."
***