Disclaimer:  The story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd Family.  This fiction is written for my
own personal enjoyment.  This story uses themes from the
book and the CBS series.

Title:  A Christmas Story From Cutter Gap
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The schoolroom was decorated for Christmas.  Garlands of
pine were strung across the walls.  The air was filled with
the scent of pine.  A Christmas tree stood in the corner.
It was decorated with paper chains, snowflakes and stars.
Christy was still at her desk marking papers.  Mountie had
left  her just a few minutes before.  The little girl
had needed her help in finishing a Christmas present
for Swannie.  Christy thought she heard someone speak.
When she looked out the window, she saw Lundy Taylor.

Lundy had been gone for almost two months.  Christy sprang
from her desk, grabbed her coat and scarf and ran out
after him.  In her haste, she did not see that Lundy
had pushed Mountie down after calling her "Mushmouth."
The little girl was shaken, but not hurt.  She decided to
follow her teacher.

Lundy heard Christy calling after him and realized he had
made a mistake by taking the shortcut near the school.
He would lose her quick enough,  he knew these woods
like the back of his hand.  He ran, slipping on patches
of snow.  The weather had been very cold, and some places
were freezing over.  Lundy made sure he headed for the
icy places.  Christy followed his footsteps in the snow.
She slipped on an icy patch and fell.  Her head hit the
ice and knocked her unconscious.

"That'll teach ya," said Lundy, and he continued on
his way.

 It had started to snow again.  Five minutes later
 Mountie found Christy.  "Teacher, wake up."  Christy was
 unresponsive.  They were near Scudders Pond.  There was
 no one around to help.  Mountie had to get Doc MacNeill.
 She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.  She
 reached his cabin.  There was light inside.  Doc was home!
 She knocked on the cabin door screaming, "Doc open up."
 She pounded the door as hard as she could.

Neil opened the door.  "Mountie, what's the matter?
Why are you out in this snow?"

"Doc, I think Teacher is dead."  She was crying.

He picked her up and brought her inside the warm cabin.
"Where is Miss Christy?"

"By Scudders Pond.  She fell on the ice and hit her head.
She was running after Lundy Taylor.  I couldn't wake
her up."

Neil tried to think fast.  He wrapped Mountie in a wool
afgan and grabbed an extra quilt from his patients bed.
He took his satchel and then picked Mountie up. "Come
Mountie, let's find Miss Christy."  Time was of the
essence.  They ran to the barn.  Neil quickly saddled
Charlie and they rode as quickly as they could towards
Scudders Pond.

"We wuz comin' from the school, Doc."

Neil zeroed in on the path to the schoolhouse.  He scanned
the area in the dimness of dusk and the snow.  He caught
sight of Christy lying on the edge of the ice covered by a
dusting of snow.  He ran to her and nearly slipped himself.
There was a pulse!  Breathing a deep sigh of relief, and
saying a prayer of thanks without realizing it, Neil picked
Christy up.  She must have whacked her head on the ice,
for there was a small blood stain. Her scarf was wrapped
around her neck.  His first instinct was to take her to
his cabin, but the Mission was closer.  He rode Charlie
as fast as he could.

He helped Mountie down and said, "Run and open the door
for me."  She did as she was told.  "Alice," he bellowed,
"I need you now!"  He carried Christy into the room off
of the kitchen which was used for a sick room.  He gently
laid Christy down on the bed.

Alice came running.  "Oh dear God," she said, "what
happened?"

"We have to find out from Mountie.  Apparently Lundy is
back and Christy tried to reach out to him."

"I'll undress her, Neil.  Make sure Mountie is all right."
She deftly removed Christy's scarf, coat, shirtwaist
and skirt.  She took off her shoes and wet stockings.
"Ruby Mae, fetch me Miss Christy's nightgown and robe."
Ruby Mae ran up the stairs two at a time.

Neil came back.  "Ruby Mae will have to attend to Mountie.
She's fine, there is no sign of frostbite.  If the snow
were heavier, or the temperature a wee bit colder, I
would be worried."  He examined Christy with intent.
"Alice she has a small laceration on her scalp.  It's too
small for me to stitch.  We'll clean up the area, but it
won't need to be bandaaged.  She has a slight concussion,
but her skull is not fractured.  She'll need to rest,
but I do not want her laying flat.  We'll have to prop
her up a bit, and I want a few extra covers for warmth.
I'm hoping that she will not have suffered from exposure."

Alice gathered extra pillows and quilts.  "Ruby Mae, get
some dry clothes for Mountie and keep her warm.  Make her
some hot tea and sweeten it with lots of honey.  Build up
the fire, please."

"Is Miss Christy going to die?"

"Miss Christy is in no danger, thanks to Mountie."

Neil checked Christy's eyes again.  "Alice, thank heaven
she had her wool scarf wrapped around her neck.  It helped
to cushion her neck when she fell.  It probably saved her
from a more serious injury."  Alice nodded in agreement.

Ruby Mae fed Mountie, and plied her with questions.
"How'd Miss Christy get hurt?"

"She slipped on the ice cuz she was runnin' after Lundy."

"Lundy Taylor?"  Mounte nodded.  "He's back?  Saints
preserve us.  A bad penny keeps turnin' up.  This ain't
good news a'tall, Mountie."  Mountie agreed.  "Would ya
like to sleep in a bed upstairs?"

"Can I sleep in your room?"

"Sure, I can make ya a bed up on the floor."  Mountie
nodded.  "Are ya sleepy?"

"A little."

"Come on then, I'll make yer bed nice and cozy like."
The two girls went upstairs and made up a bed for Mountie
to sleep on.  She found a flannel nightgown in the Mission
barrel."

"Ma won't like me ta wear it."

"You ain't gonna take it home none, yer jest gonna wear
it here. 'kay?"

"Aw right."  Ruby Mae left the room while Mountie changed
into the nightdress.  Ruby Mae came back into the room to
find Mountie snuggled down under the soft feather bed.

"Would you like me to read you a story?"  Mountie nodded.
Ruby Mae began to read, and soon both girls were sound
asleep.

Looking out the window, Neil could tell it was snowing
harder, a portent of things to come.  There was a big
storm coming.  Cutter Gap was going to be snowed in for
a few days.

"David and Ida are well on their way to Boston to have
Christmas with their mother.  She has not been well,
and her doctor is concerned.  This could be their last
Christmas with her.  Jacob Ferrand is supposed to come
and preach the Christmas service.  If he is snowed in
somewhere else, then I will have to do it."

Christy began to stir.  She was under a pile of blankets
and felt extremely uncomfortable.  She looked at Neil and
Miss Alice.  "What happened to me?"

"You fell on some ice," said Neil.

"I was trying to catch Lundy.  Lundy Taylor is back.
I slipped on the ice.  That is all I remember."

"That was over two hours ago, Christy.  Mountie followed
you.  When she couldn't wake you up she found me at
my cabin.  We brought you to the Mission."

"Is Mountie all right?  It was very cold this afternoon.
Her coat is so thin."

"Mountie is fine, child.  Ruby Mae is taking care of her.
She is now warm and dry.  Thee must not worry," said Alice.

"What about Lundy?"

"He's probably back with his father.  He's been on his
own for two months.  He'll manage."

"Would thee like some soup?"

"Yes, please."

"While you eat Christy, I am going out to the barn to check
on Charlie.  Alice, I am going to string rope to help us
walk around the Mission in the snow.  I fear we are in
for a major storm."  While he was in the barn Neil looked
after Charlie.  He also checked on the Mama cat and her six
kittens.  He noticed that one was a runt.  It would need
some extra special attention if it was going to survive.
And he had a special caregiver in mind to do the job.

As he trudged back to the Mission, Neil realized that
Christy was not going to make it home to Asheville for
Christmas.  The trails to El Pano would be impassable.
He hated the thought of telling her.  This would be her
first Christmas in Cutter Gap, and it would be very, very
different from any Christmas in her past.

He came back into the kitchen and ate soup and cornpone.
The hot coffee cup warmed his hands.  Alice came in with
a tray of dishes from the sick room.  "She ate everything,
Neil.  She had no signs of nausea."

"That is good news, Alice.  I fear that the weather is
going to get a lot worse before it gets better.  How are
we on supplies?"

"David made sure we had an abundance of firewood.
Christy's mother sent us a large package of special foods
for Christmas.  We'll get by.  Thee will stay here with
us, I presume?"

"Yes, Alice.  I will stay.  I want to check on Christy.
You realize Alice, she cannot travel to Asheville."

"I realized that Neil, when I looked out on to the porch.
It will be a big storm.  Christmas is three days away.
I wonder if there is anyone else out there.  We will
leave oil lamps burning like beacons in the darkness.
Our doors will be open for all weary travelers.  I am
afraid for Jacob.  I fear he is out there in the snow."

Neil entered the sick room.  "Hello Christy.  Are you
feeling better?"  He could see worry and panic in her
eyes."

"Neil, what about Christmas?"

"I am afraid that you cannot travel.  You have a slight
concussion.  I cannot and will not allow you to travel
on the train."  Christy looked at Neil in absolute shock.
She could tell that he was extremely serious. "The other
bad news is that we are in the middle of a big snow storm.
It will be impossible to get out to El Pano.  We are going
to be snowed in for a few days."  He watched her carefully,
as she tried desperately to fight back tears.

She looked at him and whispered, "I've never been away
from my family at Christmas before."  The tears started
to roll down her cheeks.

He scooped her up quilt and all, and held her in his arms.
He sat back down in the chair, holding her in his lap.
"Cry Christy, and let the sadness leave your heart."
She felt him brush her temple gently with his lips.
"What is Christmas about, Christy?"

"Love," she whispered.  "Christmas is about love and family
and friends."  She cried softly, until she cried herself
to sleep.

Alice entered the room.  "Is this a new treatment for
concussion?  I've never heard of this one."

"She's sleeping Alice, but her head is not in a prone
position."  Alice nodded.  "She's upset because she is
going to miss Christmas with her family."

"Mountie is asleep, Neil.  What a brave little girl.
She is part of a miracle.  Three months ago she never would
have been able to tell you that Christy was unconscious."

"Love is a powerful emotion, Alice.  Christy's love for
the children reached out to that child, who chose to live
in silence.  Her love for Christy saved Christy's life."

"Well Neil, it would appear that we will be celebrating
Christmas at the Mission, as if we were marooned on
a desert island.  There is no ocean, instead we are
surrounded by snow."

"We'll make the best of it, Alice.  We always do.
Keep those oil lamps burning.  I prefer lamps to candles,
there is less chance of fire."

"Every stranger will be welcome, Neil, as well as friends
and neighbors."

"Alice let us hope that people do not try to travel in
this weather.  It is dangerous."

"I know Neil, but some may have no choice."  She was
worried that Jacob would attempt to come.

Christy snuggled against Neil.  "Alice I am going to carry
Christy upstairs to her room.  Judging  by her reactions,
she may only have a slight concussion.  We'll prop her
head with pillows.  You may need the sick room for extra
guests."

"Thee may be right, Neil."  He carried Christy up to
her room.  Alice followed him and turned back the covers
of Christy's bed.  Neil placed her gently on the bed with
extra pillows to raise her head.  She was fast asleep.
"Neil, will thee call her parents?"

"Yes of course I will, Alice.  I think that I will wait
until morning."

Alice returned downstairs and stripped the bed in the
sick room.  She put on clean sheets in case Jacob arrived.
She would not be able to reach her cabin during the storm.
She would stay in Ida's room.

At first light on December twenty-third, John Holcombe
arrived with his family in a sled converted wagon.
Elizabeth was due any day, and he knew that Alice would
not be able to travel in the snow.  Elizabeth wanted
a midwife to be present  for the birth of their child.
They were all welcomed by Alice and Neil, and fed a warm
hearty breakfast.  Ruby Mae helped Miss Alice.  Sam Houston
was thrilled to see Doc MacNeill.  Mountie woke up because
of all the commotion.  She was greeted cheerily by Miss
Alice and Doc and fed hot cereal for breakfast.  When she
was finished, Doc MacNeill said he needed her help.

They went into the parlor.  "Mountie, I have a special
present that I would like to give Miss Christy for
Christmas.  It has to be our secret.  Can you keep a
secret?"  She nodded solemnly.  "There is a baby kitten
in the barn and it needs to be kept warm and fed milk.
Would you be willing to help me?"

"Yes," she answered in a hushed voice.

"The kitten is the runt of the litter.  It will need
special attention.  It will have to stay inside for
a while.  I will bring it in from the barn when I go to
check on Charlie.  Will you care for it until Christmas
Day for me?  There are other kittens in the barn, Mountie,
and you can take your pick of the ones that are left.
Do we have a deal?"

She brightened at the thought of having a kitten too.
"Put it there, Doc," and she held out her hand towards
Neil.

The next item on his agenda was to call Asheville.
William answered the telephone.  "Good morning, William.
It's Neil."

"Hello Neil, this is a surprise.  Is Christy all right?"

"That's why I am calling.  She fell on an icy patch
yesterday afternoon and hit her head.  I suspect a very
mild concussion, William.  The other news is that we are
having a very bad snowstorm.  It started late yesterday and
continued through the night.  Right now we have about six
inches on the ground, but it is not letting up.  I fear we
are in for a large accumulation of snow.  Christy would not
be able to get to El Pano,  even if she had not fallen.
I won't let her travel William.  She is going to be all
right, William, you have my word."

'Your word is bond, Neil."

"Thank you, William.  I do not know if the telephone lines
will hold in this storm.  If they do not, let me convey
my best wishes for a Merry Christmas to both you and Julia
and to George as well."

"Merry Christmas to you, and to the people of the Cove, and
to Miss Alice and Ruby Mae.  Give my Little Miss a hug and
a kiss from me, and one from yourself as well.  You have
my permission, Neil.  You are a good man, Neil MacNeill.
I know that you care deeply for Christy."

"Indeed I do, William.  Thank you.  Goodbye for now."

"Goodbye Neil.  Give Christy our love," and he hung up
the telephone.

"Alice, I need to check on my patient. I'll take her
breakfast tray up to her and make sure she eats every bit.
Let's give her tea instead of coffee."

"I'll add honey and lemon to it, Neil.  Her mother sent
us oranges and lemons."

"Say the bells of St. Clemens."

"What?"

"It was a line from a song.  A child's song that everyone
in the class knew the words to,  but me.  I was ignorant of
the lyrics.  It is a long story for another time perhaps.
I'd better check on Christy."

"I will make her tray now, Neil.  Just give me a moment."

Christy was dressed in her robe and slippers when Neil
knocked on her door.  She was about to make her bed when
he entered with the breakfast tray.  "Well Christy, I can
see that you do not follow your doctor's orders very well."

"You did not give me any orders, that I can recall."

"I want you to rest in bed, Christy."

"Neil, it is two days before Christmas.  Miss Alice needs
my help."

"You were not supposed to be here.  You would not have
been of any help to her."  She gave him a petulant look.
"Those kind of looks roll off me like water rolls off of
a duck's back.  Now get back into bed."

"Neil?"

"Now."

"Bully."  She got back into bed.  He placed the tray on
her lap.

"Now eat please.  You only had soup last night."

She looked at the tray.  There was tea with lemon and
honey.  Oatmeal with cinnamon and some diced apples.
She smiled at Neil.  "Miss Alice made my oatmeal the way
I like it best.  She is spoiling me."

"She loves you."

"I know that, Neil.  I love her too."

He watched her attack her oatmeal an sip the hot tea.
"Christy, I telephoned your parents this morning to tell
them what happened, and that you would not be coming
to Asheville.  Your parents send their love, and at some
point today I am to give you a kiss and a hug from your
father to his Little Miss."

"That is one of his nicknames for me."

"I know,  I remember him calling you that at Thanksgiving.
He also gave me permission to give you a hug and a kiss."

"He did?"

"Yes Christy, he did."

"My father is a very wise man."  Neil looked startled for
a brief moment.  Was he that transparent in his feelings
for Christy?  "Was it permission for one hug and one kiss?"

"In a way, yes.  He said a hug and a kiss.  But then he
said I was a good man and he gave me his permission."

"Daddy approves of you, Neil.  That is all you need
to know.  Do I have to stay in bed all day long?"

"I'll check on you later, Christy.  The Holcombe's arrived
this morning.  Elizabeth is due any day."

"Wouldn't it be wonderful.  A baby born on Christmas, just
like the baby Jesus."

"Rest now.  Alice may need your help.  She's depending on
Ruby Mae and Lizette to help her plan meals.

Christy could hear the noise and the hustle and bustle
of activity, and she hated being upstairs out of the way.
There was a timid knock on the door.  "Come in."  It was
Mountie.  "Good morning, Mountie.  I understand that I have
you to thank for my rescue.  You may have saved my life."

Mountie smiled.  "I'm glad yer better, Teacher."

"Mountie, can you call me Miss Christy?"  She nodded.
"Would you like me to read a story to you?"  She nodded.
"Come sit on the bed with me."  She started to read from
the Book of Luke and there was another knock on her door.
"Come in."  It was Sam Houston and his little sister Sarah.
"Hello, Sam Houston, how nice to see you.  And Sarah, what
a nice surprise."

"We came to see how you were feeling."

"I am much better, Sam Houston.  I was about to read
to Mountie.  Would you like to join us?"

"Yes Ma'am, thisaway I reckon we best stay out of trouble."

Christy smiled, and began to read.  About half an hour
later, Neil came back to check on her.  It made him smile
to see the children lying about the bed listening to
her read.  "Well Miss Christy, I think that I will allow
you to get dressed and come downstairs.  I insist that you
take it easy for the rest of the morning.  I believe Miss
Alice could use your help making cookies this afternoon."

"Is it still snowing? It is hard to tell with the wind
blowing snow off of the roof."

"Yes, it is, but it is tapering off a bit.  The clouds
are still heavy, so I am not sure if the worst is over.
We will have to wait and see."  She nodded.  "Now children,
come downstairs so that Miss Christy can get dressed.
Everyone is going to have to pitch in and help today.
After all, it is only two days until Christmas."

The O'Teales arrived just before lunch.  Swannie was
frantic that Mountie was missing in the snow.  Alice
explained how Christy had been hurt and that Mountie had
saved her life by running for Doctor MacNeill.  It had
started to snow in earnest, and word could not be sent in
order to let her know that Mountie was safe.  They were
made to sit in the parlor warm themselves by the fire.
Alice insisted that they borrow dry clothes from the
Mission barrels.  Swannie reluctantly agreed.

Jacob Ferrand arrived around three o'clock in the
afternoon.  Alice was relieved and also upset that he had
traveled in the storm.  "Now Alice, I was able to take
refuge through the worst of it.  I am fine."

"Jacob, thee has added at least ten years to my age.
Thee had me so worried."

"Ah, Alice, you still do not look your age.  Ten years
younger perhaps, but not ten years older.  It looks as
though you have a full house today.  I am going to step
in the parlor to warm my hands by the fire."

"I will get back to dinner preparations.  I have soup
warming on the stove, Jacob.  Thee are more than welcome
to partake of some if thee are hungry."

"Thank you, Alice."  He turned and went into the parlor.
Christy was sitting on the settee, surrounded by children.
"Holding court, Miss Huddleston?"

"Hello, Doctor Ferrand.  I am glad you made it safely
though the storm.  I fell yesterday and hit my head.
I am following my doctor's orders to rest.  Believe me,
I would rather be in the kitchen doing something useful."

He smiled.  "I believe that you are doing something very
useful by keeping the children occupied.  The smell of
popcorn fills the air, but I would venture to say that
more popcorn is being eaten than strung this afternoon."

"I daresay you are correct, sir."  She smiled.
"Doctor Ferrand, my father and mother sent me a copy of
"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens."

"I am familiar with the work, Miss Huddleston."

"Would you be willing to read it tonight after dinner?"

"We'll see, Miss Huddleston, we'll see."

"Yes sir."

The christmas tree needed to be docorated, and the children
were going to be busy making paper decorations, as they had
done for the tree at the school.  Neil had trudged up to
the school along with Arrowwood and John Jr. to bring back
the supplies Christy needed for the decorations.  The tree
had been set up and the branches were unfurling in the
warmth of the Mission. The scent of pine was everywhere.

Once again Neil expressed his concern about their
food supply.  There were fourteen extra mouths to feed.
"Neil we have smoked hams and bacon.  We're having venison
stew tonight.  A few extra potatoes and carrots will help
to stretch it.  No one will go hungry.  We'll bake extra
corn bread.  No one will go hungry. We can make soups and
bake bread."

"I am going to have the older boys cut more firewood, to
make sure we have enough.  With all of the extra baking
you are doing, the supply will soon be depleted."

"It will also serve to keep them occupied."

"You read my mind, Alice."  She smiled.  Neil had brought
the puppy in from the barn.  It was going to be harder
to keep its presence a secret, but Mountie was determined
not to let doctor MacNeill down.

Dinner was served in stages, because there was not enough
room for everone to sit down together.  There were plenty
of helpers for the clean-up afterwards, and then Miss
Alice decided it was time for the children to decorate
the tree.  It was chaotic, but fun, and Christy realized
that Christmas would always be special, no matter where
she celebrated the holiday.  Doctor Ferrand began to read
the first chapter of "A Christmas Carol."  The children
listened with rapt  attention.  Sarah fell asleep on
Lizette's lap.

When Jacob finished reading, sleepy children were carried
by their parents and older siblings to the sleeping
areas in various bedrooms and other rooms of the Mission.
The kitten was in Ruby Mae's room.  Becky had been sworn
to secrecy.

During the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, Elizabeth
began her labor.  Christy did her best to help keep the
children  occupied.  She was coming down the stairs as Neil
met her at the bottom.  He put his arms around her and
kissed her forehead.  "Those are from your father to his
Little Miss.  I didn't have a chance to do that yesterday."

"They are very much appreciated, Neil."

"You are most welcome."

"How is Elizabeth?"

"Coming along.  I think that the baby will be born soon,
Lass.

Christy's smile was beautiful.  It touched him so.
"Imagine a Christmas baby!  How wonderful, Neil. How are
you feeling?"

"I'm fine Lass.  I'm just hovering in case there is an
emergency.  As far as I can tell, this has been a routine
pregnancy for Elizabeth.  Alice will be able to handle
the situation."  He had no sooner uttered those words
when Alice yelled for Neil.  He ran into the sick room and
closed the door.  The noise and talking ceased around the
rest of the Mission.  Everyone waited in tense silence.
Doc MacNeill never delivered babies unless there was
a problem.  John Holcombe began pacing back and forth.
Christy gathered the children into the parlor where they
all began to pray for Mrs. Holcombe and the baby.

The umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck.
Neil worked frantically to free it, so that it would not
strangle the babe.  There were a few tense moments, but
the baby made it through.  Neil cleared its air passages,
and was able to get the baby to breathe.  It was a boy.

"Elizabeth, thee has a son."

"Thank you," she said in a very tired but relieved voice.

Neil cleaned the baby and wrapped him in a soft, warm
blanket, while Alice attended to Elizabeth.  He then handed
the baby to Elizabeth.  "Congratulations, he's a fine lad
indeed. I'll go and tell John to stop wearing the floor
out with his pacing."  Elizabeth smiled.  Neil went out
into the kitchen.  "John, you have a fine, healthy son."

"Thank you, Doc.  Can I see Elizabeth now?"

"Of course."

Neil washed his hands.  He heard the voices in the parlor
when he walked through the dogtrot into the dining room.
The children stopped talking when he entered the room.
"It's a fine, healthy boy."  Sam Houston's grin filled
filled his face.

"Just like the baby Jesus," said Sarah.  Christy gave her
a hug.

The rest of the afternoon was spent baking cookies and
preparing the dinner meal.  In the evening, sitting around
the fire, the families listened to Jacob Ferrand reading
the gospel of Saint Luke.  Then they began to sing songs
of Christmas.  Christy stepped out of the room, overcome
with emotion.  Neil followed her a few minutes later.

She was crying.  "Why so sad, Lass?"

"I'm not sad," she whispered.  "They are tears of joy,
Neil.  Tears for the wonderment of it all.  I'm surrounded
by people I love and respect and admire.  The children
are safe, and we have witnessed the miracle of creation
once again.  How can I be sad?  I do miss my family,
but I would not have changed one moment of these past
few days, Neil."  As they stared out of the window at the
snow filled night, both were filled with a sense of peace.
"Isn't it beautiful, Neil?"

"Yes it is Christy.  It has never seemed more beautiful
to me.  I am very glad that I have witnessed it with you."

She turned to look at him.  "Neil?"

"Oh Christy.  I love you, Lass."  Her eyes widened, and
she leaned against him.

"I love you, Neil, with all of my heart."

He tipped her chin up, and bent down to kiss her, gently at
first, but then he deepend the kiss, and drew her closer
to him.  The clock began to chime.  "Merry Christmas,
Christy."

"Merry Christmas, Neil."  He continued to hold her in
his arms, for the sheer joy of just being close to her
in the silence and the stillness.  It was a moment
they would treasure together all of their lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sun was shining Christmas
morning,  and the sky was a clear bright blue.
The Mission property was clothed in brilliant white.
The snow reflected the brightness of the sun.  The prayer
service was held at the Misson instead of the Church.
The O'Teale boys and the Holcombe boys had been out early
shoveling paths to the Church and the barn, but Doctor
Ferrand felt it was more appropriate to conduct the service
at the Mission.

Elizabeth was allowed to sit in the parlor with the baby,
who had been named Nicholas.  Christy was holding the
baby, totally enthralled by his delicate eye lashes and
fingernails.  They were so tiny, so perfect.  Neil could
not take his eyes off of them, caught in the spell of a
magical moment in time.  After the final prayer, breakfast
was  cooked by all of the menfolk. Pancakes and syrup were
served with tea and coffee.  Fresh oranges and tangerines
were shared, they had been sent by the Huddleston's.
Dishes were washed by all of the young men and boys and not
a one was broken.  The kitchen had looked like a disaster
area, but Jacob made sure that it was all put to right
before Alice had a chance to inspect it.

Mountie brought Neil the kitten and he put it in his
inside pocket.  He searched for Christy.  "Oh Neil, it
has been the most wonderful Christmas for me."

"Indeed it is, Lass."  He pulled her close.

She heard soft mewing. "Neil?"

He gently took the kitten from his pocket.  "I couldn't
gift wrap him for you, Christy.  Merry Christmas."

"The children called out,  "Merry Christmas."

"How?" she asked.

"I had a lot of secret helpers."  She gently held the
kitten.  "He needs special attention.  He's the runt,
Lass."

"Do you have a name for him,  Miss Christy?" asked Mountie.

"He can have no other than Tiny Tim," she said smiling.

"Then in that case," said Sam Houston, " we can all say
Merry Christmas and God Bless Us, Everyone."

"God Bless Us, Everyone," said Neil, as he held Christy
close to him.


The End