The story of Christy is owned the Marshall-LeSourd Family. I am in no way 

seeking profit or credit for her story. This fiction is written for my own 

amusement only. This story uses themes from the book, CBS series, and the 

PAX movies."

Eternity

by Birgit J.

I was standing in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom.  Bowing 

closer, I took a scrutinizing look at my face. Well-earned wrinkles in the 

corners of my mouth as well as my eyes -- signs of having lived a happy life 

with lots of laughter. My hair was still as full as it had been when I first came 

here, but now it had turned silvery.  "Your hair feels like silk, Lass."  Those 

words echoed in my mind along with visions of Neil running his fingers through 

my hair, a touch so light and caressing that it was as sweet as a butterfly kiss. 

My Neil, my dear sweet Neil.  How much I had been missing him in the last few 

years. When my husband passed away, I thought I would never be able to smile 

again. My first-born daughter Elizabeth had urged me to stay with her and her 

family. I well remembered how she had tried to convince to give up my life in 

Cutter Gap:

"Mom, I don't want you to be all alone in your house in that remote place.  I 

want you to live with me, Marc, and the children. Just think of all the fun we 

would have living in New York -- fine restaurants, museums, theaters!  Please 

think about moving there, Mom." Back then I had tightly hugged Liz, replying 

firmly: "No, my dear -- my heart is in the mountains. It has been here ever 

since I first came to Cutter Gap. You surely remember how often I have told 

you about my first morning here -- when I looked out of the mission window, 

seeing the Smokies in all their glory and beauty. That very moment was divine –

- I instantly felt that I belonged here. Here I lived with your dad -- it's here 

where I will stay until my dying day." Finally, Liz had given in -- in her heart 

she knew that I was right.

Looking out of the window, I saw how dusk was slowly dimming the colors of 

the trees and bushes outside. I went into the living room, reaching for the quilt 

my youngest daughter had made for me. I tightly wrapped it around my 

shoulders and sat down in Neil's old armchair. How he had loved sitting in that 

chair and telling about his time in Highlands of Scotland.  Smiling, I looked 

into the dancing flames in the fireplace. I felt wonderful -- warm, protected, 

and loved. My eyelids grew heavier and with a sigh I leaned back, allowing 

myself to take a nap.

I woke up with a start, feeling a fresh breeze cooling my hot face. The 

entrance door was wide open, and the man standing there seemed strangely 

familiar. His face was hidden in the shadows, but I could see that he wore a 

kilt. When the man crossed the threshold, I gave a small, frightened cry.  The 

smiling man, who held out his hand for me to stand up and join him, was Neil -- 

my Neil. But Neil had passed away eight years ago -- that was impossible. Only 

two possibilities remained -- and none of them was reassuring in the least. I 

either saw a ghost or I had become crazy all of a sudden, imaging things which 

weren't really there. 

"Christy. Lass. No, you aren't crazy. I am here." Whenever Neil had wanted to 

tease me, he had raised his right eyebrow just a little. He was doing that now. 

"What are you waiting for, my love? Come on -- it's time for us to go. Look 

outside -- see how beautiful the Smokies are in spring."

Now I was sure that I was dreaming -- that had to be a dream.  It was winter 

-- not spring. Moreover, Neil looked exactly as on our wedding day -- the kilt, 

the blue, sparkling eyes, and the blond, curly hair. What a detailed dream that 

was -- and yet it had to be a dream.

"Christy, Christy." Neil shook his head, as he had done when one of our 

children had tested the limits. "I see you haven't lost your stubbornness, Lass. 

Get up and look in the mirror."

It seemed as if Neil could read my thoughts, as if he were directly in my head. 

I gently put the quilt aside, reluctantly getting up. How easy that was. The 

pain I had felt in my joints was away. I felt so alive and well that I almost 

skipped the short way to the mirror. Hesitantly, I looked in the mirror, still 

being convinced that I was dreaming. The young woman who looked at me had 

my face without the traces of age. I directly looked in the clear blue eyes of 

my younger self, the counterpart to the handsome man who had stepped behind 

me.

"Yes, Christy -- it's time. We are finally back together. I have missed you so 

much." Tenderly Neil took me in his arms, running his fingers lightly through 

my hair: "Your hair feels like silk, Lass." Smiling, he bowed down to me, kissing 

me lightly on the lips. "Now, let's go, my love -- let us head for the mountains, 

for eternity."

He took my hand, and we left our house for the last time -- together.  It was 

more than that though. We left the life as we had known it, but it wasn't the 

end -- it was just the beginning. Eternity was ours.