Author's Notes

This is my first actual Doc Martin story being published, so please be kind. I have three other, more "traditional" stories in progress, but this one proved to be a nice break from writing the other's, and well, it was just a lot of fun to do.

Most importantly, please forgive the silliness of this story. It's all in good fun and meant to provoke a laugh.

Thank you to my Beta Reader jd517 for providing comments and revisions and giving me the confidence to know that I haven't gone completely bodmin coming up with this idea…at least not yet.

*Disclaimer - Doc Martin is the property of Buffalo Pictures. Everything associated with Disney World is the property of The Walt Disney World Company.

*I do not own Doc Martin nor do I own Disney World, although I would really love to have them both!

Chapter 1 - Persuasion

Afternoon surgery was busy as usual. I had treated all of four actual medical conditions since lunch. There was a fractured wrist, a case of gout, a herniated disc and a follow up for a repeat prescription. It was hardly rocket science, but at least I had managed another day without some sort infectious disease ravishing the village like the plague. The rest of them were all malingerers, general time wasters, and those hell bent on getting information about my private life. Honestly, you would think after a decade in this village they would relent or lose interest, but no. Apparently the longer you're here, the more they want to know. Bugger.

My day got better, as it always does, when Louisa and James returned home from school. I heard them come in through the kitchen as I escorted a patient out of my consulting room. I made my way to greet them and couldn't help noticing that they had both carelessly dropped their bags on the floor. James ran up to me first yelling "Hi Daddy" and jumped into my arms for a hug. I always loved when he did this. I may not be the most outwardly affectionate person in the world but I really loved having the father/ son bond that James and I shared. It did however; make me a little sad to see that he was growing up so fast. Soon these displays of affection would become less and less frequent. "Hello James." I replied as I held him with Louisa coming up to me next. "Hello Martin." She said as we gave each other a quick peck on the lips. "How was your day?"

"Same as usual. A few actual medical conditions sparsely thrown between hordes of time wasters looking for a sick note. How was yours?"

"Good! Busy though. But then the first week of school is always crazy and hectic, so I guess it's to be expected. Speaking of which, James shouldn't you be working on those worksheets you have for homework?"

James rested his head on my shoulder with a look of exasperation on his face.

"But Mum, I just got home from school? Can't I wait till later?"

"No mister, so get going. We both know that you won't want to do it later either. Just think; the sooner you do it now, the more time you'll have to play after you've finished."

James looked back to me hoping I would say something different.

"Sorry young man, but your Mum is right. So get going."

James let out a long sigh before I put him down. "Fine." He muttered as he walked away.

"Martin, how about I get dinner started while you go finish with your patients. Fish stew alright? " Louisa asked.

"Yes, that would be fine. I'll just go finish up then."

"Okay."

As I walked back to my consultation room, I couldn't help but look back to the two people I loved most, going about their everyday business. I couldn't stop the smile that crept across my face. Never in a million years would I have ever thought that this is how my life would end up…and for once I was incredibly grateful. My life now was a million times better than anything I would have ever expected for myself. Turns out married and family life agreed with me, quite well in fact. Who would have thought?

XXXX

After we had finished dinner, James insisted that the three of us watch some mindless television program with him before he went off to bed. I was a bit less than thrilled with his choice of Phineas and Ferb but I participated nonetheless; however, I would most certainly be reviewing the educational content of all the shows he watched when I got a chance. Afterwards Louisa brought him upstairs and got him ready for bed while I cleaned up around the kitchen and did the washing up. A little while later Louisa came back down and asked me a question.

"Martin, when was the last time you went on holiday?"

"Hmm?" I couldn't help but look at Louisa with a puzzled look on my face.

"A holiday, you know, time away. Haven't you ever taken a trip somewhere before? Gone off to relax or see some sights? And our honeymoon doesn't count."

"Why doesn't it count? We went to Spain, didn't we?"

"Well yes, but it was only for a long weekend and, if you recall, we didn't actually see too many sights, did we?" Louisa looked at me with a cheeky look on her face as I recalled the events of that weekend. As far as I was concerned, I had seen all the sights I cared to see and I didn't have to leave the hotel room once. I didn't care what Spain looked like. And based on Louisa's actions that weekend, I knew for certain she didn't care either. I ignored the cheeky little grin that appeared on my face but I was pretty certain I had turned a nice shade of red by now. Louisa of course took notice.

"Hmm, exactly. So when was the last time you took a trip?"

"Well, I've traveled yes, but never for leisure if that's what you mean."

"Of course that's what I mean. And why haven't you?"

"Louisa, I think you know that's not my sort of thing. I can't see the point of wasting time just idly lying about catching melanoma from sunbathing or waddling around with a camera around my neck, gawping at odd rock formations or big holes in the ground like some sort of blithering idiot."

As I tried to explain this to Louisa, I knew it wasn't doing any good because she just stood there rolling her eyes. But I just couldn't understand the perverse pleasure that people took in going on holiday. What was the point? Personally, I would be perfectly relaxed and happy if only the denizens of this village would learn about proper hygiene, have a bath once in a while and leave me in peace every now and again. But that was a long shot.

"Why are you asking all of this anyway?" I dared to ask.

"Well, it's just that I saw Roger Fenn at school today and he was going on and on about how he and Maureen took the twins to Disneyland Paris over the summer break and how much they all loved it. He said that if we ever got a chance that we should do the same. And I think he's right. Plus it would be a great way for us to make some memories as well."

"Hmm. You don't expect me to go to Disneyland Paris, do you? That would be horrid."

"…Not exactly, but I do think we should go on a holiday, as a family. James just turned seven and he's barely been anywhere outside of Truro. I think it would be good for him to start seeing new places and experience different things." As she spoke, she came up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me into an embrace. As much as I loved her doing it, I knew full well what she was up to. "And I think it would be good for us to get out of Portwenn for little while as well, don't you?" Yep, I was right. Good old feminine persuasion. A technique Louisa knew I was always unable to resist. If she kept this up, I would be putty in her hands, and she knew it. Damn.

"I suppose it could be nice to get away with you and James Henry for a bit. But exactly what kind of trip are you thinking of? Don't these things require some sort of planning? And when would we go? You and James have school and I would need to rearrange my surgery schedule."

"Of course they require planning, you can't just show up. And I was thinking we could go during the spring half term. We would be out of school; it would give you plenty of time to sort out your schedule or arrange for a locum and we would still have plenty of time to make arrangements. And since it would be February, I was thinking we could actually go someplace warm. Oh don't give me that look. I won't forget to pack your sunblock, don't worry. SPF 200 right?"

This was starting to sound like quite a large undertaking, more than I was willing accept. And no doubt this would be a disruption to my routine, but actually, if I was honest, the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of getting away from the village for a little while. So maybe the idea of a family holiday wasn't such a bad one after all. And anyway, at least I would have Louisa and James Henry along with me. That fact alone was enough to make anything sound decent.

"Alright then. I guess it's not a bad idea. Just as long as it's somewhere we both agree on and obviously it has to be someplace age appropriate for James."

"Yes well, actually I um…I already had a place in mind."

Louisa just stared at me, biting her bottom lip and wringing her hands. Whatever she was thinking was obviously some place I wouldn't be too keen on. I furrowed my brow waiting for an answer. Finally she said it.

"I was thinking maybe we could go to Walt Disney World?"

"…WHAT?"

To be continued…