Chapter One
Pippa would be by to pick her her up at 10 am sharp. That only gave Louisa 20 minutes to finish packing and tie up loose ends around the house. She lamented that she wasn't as well organized as her husband, Martin, was. He would have been out on the front porch waiting by now, dressed and polished, every shirt meticulously packed without a wrinkle if he was doing the packing, but as it was not him, she pulled together all her cosmetics and dumped them in her makeup bag to throw in her suitcase. With no time for sorting she just packed everything figuring she wouldn't leave anything important. She brushed her hair as a finishing touch and stuffed her bathrobe on top of her other clothes...wrinkles be damned. She closed the case and went down the stairs.
Martin and James were in the kitchen finishing up their breakfast with young James making sure that no surface was devoid of Cheerios despite his father's protestation. Louisa walked in breathlessly and couldn't help smile at the two men in her life. "Martin, I'd like to spend a minute with James before I go. Could you possibly bring my suitcase down. I'd really appreciate it," she asked. "Mmm...of course," he said, getting up to climb the stairs. "Wait a minute," she added and walked to wrap her arms around him before he left the room. She tiptoed for a kiss and he responded, no questions asked, answering her gaze with one of his expressions of adoration and appreciation. "Mmmmm, thank you, Martin," Louisa sighed. She poured tea and put James Henry on her lap and explained what was going on. "OK, James, Mummy is going to a teacher's meeting in London. It only happens once a year, but I really need to go so I can stay smart and do a good job at school. Daddy and Janice will take care of you, but I'll be back so fast you won't realize I was gone. Do you understand?" She questioned. James was turning two in 3 weeks and as verbal as he had turned out to be, he nodding solemnly and said, "Yes, Mama." They enjoyed cuddles and kisses and Louisa felt pangs of doubt striking her again. Perhaps she shouldn't go? Maybe it was too early?
"Your bag is outside," stated Martin, entering the kitchen again. "Oh Martin, I don't know if I should go," said Louisa. "He's so little." "Louisa," Martin stated, as a matter of factly but not condescending. "James is able to walk and talk, somewhat. He weighs a over 2 stone. He feeds himself. He's a bit of an independent organism, don't you agree? Besides Janice and I have the whole thing under control. I have 3 days off. James and I will do some of that...what do you call it?...bloke time or something. We want you to go and get up to date with teaching issues and maybe enjoy some time for yourself. You need to do it for your school, in any case." Louisa sighed and knew he was right. She needed continuing education points to maintain certification. She handed James to Martin and took a last sip of tea. Pippa pulled up outside the house and gave her horn a beep. She picked up her tote bag and purse and Martin and James went to load her bag in the boot. "Mornin' Doc, James," she yelled out the window. Louisa kneeled down to her little boy standing on the porch and gave him a kiss and hug. She then stood up and faced her other man. Martin still wasn't comfortable with public displays of affection, but certain times he made an exception...like now. He and Louisa embraced and shared a loving kiss, then he helped her into the car. "Bye bye James, bye Martin," she shouted. Her little round headed son called back and waved. "Bye bye Mama!" He shouted, smiling. "Pippa, let's get out of here before I cry," she said, still waving. With that Pippa started the car and pulled away.