FIRST STEPS
CHAPTER 1 - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Martin watches from the doorway in admiration as Louisa feeds a contented James Henry. Louisa looks up and catches his eye.
"What!" asks Louisa
"Emmm nothing" replies Martin expressionless
"Martin! You need to tell me you know! ... I can't guess what you're thinking!"
Martin pauses then walks slowly towards Louisa … "Its lovely" he said with a sigh looking Louisa in the eye.
"Whats lovely"! responds Louisa a touch exasperated
"You … feeding James … its lovely … you're lovely …both of you are"
A surprised Louisa raises her brow and smiles slightly at Martin but doesn't respond vocally and looks down to James Henry smiling, still not responding vocally.
Martin fiddles about uneasily and looks directly at Louisa at a loss of what to do or say next ….pauses … "… Uummm…" … looks about the room, then looks again directly at Louisa ….
"Do I need to say it again?" he questions seriously
Louisa smiles up at him and reaches for his hand "No Martin that was lovely, just lovely" … but I am needy you know … I do need to hear … umm …. things"
"No you're not! ... needy I mean"
"I am Martin, I need to know ….
Just at that Martins phone goes. He looks at the phone then looks at Louisa
"Go on Martin! answer it – we'll talk later - won't we?"
"Ellingham"
" Morwenna! Slow down ... Tell them to go away! Rearrange their appointments - and make sure they're genuine! I'll be there shortly"
Martin turned to Louisa and gently stroked her cheek "I need to go back to the surgery to sort out that mad woman and catch up" he said as he bent to kiss her lightly on the lips.
"Go Martin …its your job.. I understand " says Louisa quietly trying to hide her disappointment.
Martin lingers and looks at her unsure quite what to do or say next "Mmmmm …right…... I'll be off then"
He pauses as he reaches the door and turns to Louisa "Umm ... Can I come back"?
"Yes Martin, I'd like that" said Louisa smiling ... "and Emmm ... maybe pick something up for dinner there's nothing in ... or would you rather go out?"
"Out! ... God no!, think Ive had enough of the locals for one day – here's good"! replied Martin as he headed through the door.
xxx
Martin walked down through the village with only Louisa on his mind. He did love her so and just couldn't envisage a life without her and still couldn't quite believe he was a father to such a splendid little boy. James Henry was, by far, the nicest baby he had ever met and he loved him in a way that a he wouldn't have believed possible and didn't even yet quite understand, but he did know that he very much wanted to be where they were and if that meant staying in Cornwall then that's exactly what he would do. It was natural for him to be organised in his life and he didn't mind the extra tasks involved to support and look after his family so he was somewhat shocked when she left with James Henry. He missed her, them, he missed them, so much it was almost unbearable, he missed just being able to talk to her each day even if it wasn't always cordial, he missed her smile and her laughter, he missed the crying and baby sounds and he even missed the untidiness that James brought or maybe that just followed Louisa around. He still didn't quite understand Louisa at times, he could never seem to say or do the right thing as far as she was concerned but he had only ever wanted to help and he meant what he'd said to her earlier, he didn't want to be like his part time father and very much wanted to be part of James' life, knowing he's loved and see him to do the things that he didn't get to do as a boy. He knows that this is probably his last chance to make a go of things with Louisa and he fully intends to grab it with both hands and learn to be a good father and partner … or husband would be his preferred choice … but he isn't so sure if that's what Louisa wants. How he longs to hold her, touch her, comfort her but he's not quite confident that's what she wants especially since her hormones appear to be all over the place so soon after the birth process! The surgery isn't the right place for a family and Louisa's place was way too small but first things first I really have to get James Henrys' childcare sorted out as Louisa doesn't seem to be doing anything about it and she obviously intends to continue working – he just couldn't understand why a mother would want to be away from her child but if that's what Louisa wants!
xxx
Louisa's head was buzzing with only Martin on her mind. She couldn't quite believe that Martin actually did love her and had said all those lovely things, even if they weren't exactly said directly to her but he had been so sweet just there and he had asked to come back! She had completely given up on him and still didn't really understand him at times. He did exasperate her no end, with his silence and rudeness, but then it was his quirky behaviour that attracted her to him in the first place and if there is one thing about Martin Ellingham, he is exactly as it says on the tin! She loves him so much but didn't think it was at all reciprocated, given the times she had tried to engage him to no avail and his seemingly disinterest in her pregnancy. How she longed for him to say nice things or just hold her, touch her, comfort her but he seemed indifferent. She was quite delighted he had formed such a strong bond with James and had been saddened and distraught for them both at the thought of him being in London and being a part time dad. She felt dejected when she left him that last time but couldn't go on with an emotionless Martin treating her like a child who couldn't cope or make a simple decision, but she had missed him so much and even James Henry fretted but Martin seemed to think they didn't need him or maybe London needed him more. She so wanted them to be a proper family but she did worry that the were doing the right thing I mean what if he really does hate the village and he wants to be a surgeon again, he can't really do that here in Port Wenn. If they could be a proper loving family and if that meant going to London, then that's exactly what they would all do ... if that's what Martin wants!
xxx
Martin approached the fishmonger.
"Hiya Doc, … you're late…what ya havin today, not much left, lovely cod, or a nice sea bass… or I've got shrimps on special. Hows the wee fellla - heard Mrs T went a bit mad! Ha ha ha – always was a bit bodmin that un"
"Cod" says Martin
"Half fillet?"
"Full fish"
"Ohhhh … Full fish! … you havin company then Doc"
"That is none of your business! ... just the fish" says Martin
This village is claustrophobic thinks Martin as he walks away from the fishmonger, he really meant what he said to Louisa today but he wasn't quite sure how he was going to do it!. I
xxx
Martin reached the surgery and is met by a stressed out Morwenna
"I've nearly had World War 3 here Doc! What's going on?, I mean that Mrs Mulroy, she just kept on n on! As if it was my fault you done a runner ... I just told her you…"
"Shut up Morwenna! – Has my Aunt Ruth been here"? growled Martin as he looked around the waiting room
"Yeh, her n Mr n Mrs T, She says she luvs ya Doc! What's all that about then – has she finally went nuts! – Ruth's taken them to the hospital in Truro! …come on Doc spill the beans!" said Morwenna laughing
Martin looked at Morwenna as if she was mad and continued to ignore her
Martin finished up at the surgery around 6.30. He would call Chris Parsons tomorrow once he had a chance to talk to Louisa. He went upstairs had a shower and changed his clothes. He thought about taking a change to Louisas but didn't want to appear presumptuous but then decided maybe a toothbrush and fresh underwear would be in order.
xxx
Martin knocks on Louisas door. Louisa opens with her finger against her lips " Shshhh James is sleeping"
"Should he be sleeping at this time?" questioned Martin
"Hes had a busy day if you remember, he'll want feeding again before going down for the night" replied Louisa
"I bought a fish"
"Ahh … right" says Louisa with a sigh
"You don't want fish?" asked Martin
"No, no fish is fine…. Its just"
"Just what" said Martin a bit bewildered
"Well you know Martin!
… I do love sea food … just not every day"
"Ummm right ... I see! ... So what would you like then?" asks Martin
Louisa moves towards him and looks him in the eye "A hug Martin…. I'd like a hug" she says
"Ummm Now?"
"Yes now Martin! and maybe at least once every day" said Louisa smiling "would that be ok for you?"
"Yes" said Martin "that would be good" as took her in his arms.
xxx
Martin unwrapped himself from Louisas body. "I'll get him" he said in response to James Henrys whimpers. He sat up in bed and looked around for his boxers
"Do you mind" said Martin pointing to Louisas dressing gown which was lying over a chair at the side of her bed.
"Um … No" said Louisa smiling "You go right ahead"
Martin covered himself with the dressing gown which barely met at the middle, went to the cot and lifted James Henry.
"Does his nappy need changed?" asked Martin as he turned back to face Louisa
"Is something amusing you Louisa?"
"Mmm ….. It's a bit small on you … that's all" giggled Louisa
"Yes" said Martin as he passed James Henry to Louisa "I'll go and fetch us something to eat"
Martin went down to Louisas kitchen in search of something light for them to eat. He found some pasta and sauce and proceeded to look for a saucepan when he heard a rap at the kitchen window. He looked up to see Bert Large peering through the window. He went to the door
"Yes"
"Heard little JH had a bit of a rough day Doc, just wondering how he is"
"James Henry is just fine"
Bert hovered trying to look over Martins shoulder "Nice outfit you've got there Doc" he said nodding at Martin and trying hard to stifle his laughter
"Go away Bert" said Martin slamming the door shut.
xxx
"Awe this is nice Martin. Are you allowed to eat at this time of night? " said Louisa laughing
"Won't do me any harm this once but you DO have to eat healthy and regularly Louisa, ... remember you are James' nutritional provider"
"I know Martin ... it was a joke"
"Mmmm"
"Did I hear you talking to someone"
"Yes! Bert Large asking after James Henry! What is it with these villagers! Think they can come calling whenever they please"
"It's what villagers do Martin! You'll get used to it!" said Louisa
"Daresay I'll have to" grumbled Martin as he cleared their plates away.
"Bed?" said Louisa
"That would be good" replied Martin with the smallest of grins
xxx
Note:
I started this story just after S5 finished but, alas, real life got in the way. I do hope to get it complete by the start of S6 but thought I'd start posting it anyway.
Its just for fun! Hope you enjoy :) x
RubyRedi at Crapstories co uk