It was early evening so Louisa shouldn't mind a quick call. "Louisa, it's Martin here. I'm on my way back from the symposium and wondered if I could stop by to see you. I should be there in under an hour. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, of course you can and no, I haven't eaten. There were parent-teacher meetings after school so I just got home myself. Have you? No? Would you like to eat with me? You would? Good. I'll buy some fish and fresh veggies. Do you want to cook or shall I?" Laughing softly, she agreed, "Yes, it's definitely better for you to do the cooking! Bye."
He parked at the surgery to pick up a package before making his way to her cottage. People were puzzled by his expression. There was no scowl. Oh, he's on his way to see Louiser. That explains it.
Unaware that he was being observed and discussed, he stopped at the Green Grocers and bought some fresh flowers. He bought them frequently, pleased at her happiness when he gave them to her. "Good choice Doc! Louiser likes fresh flowers. I'm bettin' she ain't got another vase yet. She broke hers yesterday. Wanna buy one here?" The clerk said to his surprise. Why should he be surprised? If someone in the village burped, everyone else knew it and would probably join in!
She was watching and met him at the door. "Thank you, Martin! They're lovely! And the vase is perfect! That looks so nice! What are you doing back? I thought you were staying overnight?"
He kissed her hello and ran his hand over her stomach as if to assure himself that all was well and kissed her again. "I met Robert in reception and talked to him there so had no need to stay longer. And I wanted to see you. Are you feeling alright? You're not over-doing it at the school are you? I don't like it when you work so late."
"I'm fine! These meetings are important and I like doing them. I went to bed early last night, ate a good, nutritious breakfast and a light, healthy lunch. I feel very well. Thank you for worrying about me." Crikey! This was so much nicer than bickering with him.
Enormously pleased by her answer, he showed it by "Harumph." And started the preparations for their meal.
"I bought you an apron. Here, let me tie it." She made it snug around his waist. There wasn't room in her tiny kitchen for two people to work so she set the table and stayed out of his way. Again, his movements were smooth and quick.
"How did your talk with, Robert isn't it, go?" She asked while admiring his smooth motions and masculine physique in that suit. She would never get tired of looking at him!
"Yes, Robert Preston, my old tutor and head of the medical board. Good. I have some news for you but let's wait till after we eat to talk about it." He answered.
She just couldn't help herself and had to ask, "And Edith? Didn't you want to hear her speech?"
"No. I helped her write it so know what she'll say. She's actually going to try to tell a joke! Not a good idea. Are roasted sprouts satisfactory?" His answer was ok but his body language said that he didn't want to talk about Edith and that No was loud and clear. Must have been unpleasant.
She sat quietly, watching him work. He served their plates and poured his cup of hot, hot tea and her a glass of milk. She was too curious to talk about mundane matters and since he never did that anyway, they quickly finished their meal and cleared up the dishes together. It wasn't easy but she stood off to his side and dried the dishes as he handed them to her.
"I know I don't have much seating room here but there's no point in me buying more furniture. The lease on my cottage will be up in about fifteen months and I'll have my own again. Haven't you recognized this sofa? It was in the office at the farm." She asked as they sat down together.
He glanced at it indifferently and blurted out, "Remember those plans I told you about? I asked Robert to transfer me to Truro instead of London. He agrees that their surgical department needs help and will try to make it happen. And, you may be interested to know that Pitts has been asked to leave his post. He evidently has trouble keeping his hands to himself."
If he had suggested that Aunt Joan have a sex change, she couldn't have been more surprised. She sat up straight and stared at him with her mouth open, then sputtered, "Truro? Are you sure? London has been your dream! Where you qualified and became famous! Why Truro?"
He smiled just a little at her expression, then answered, "In order. Yes, yes, yes, yes and because of you and the baby, obviously. Are you pleased?"
"Absolutely I'm pleased! Martin, this is wonderful! Are you going to live in Truro?" The last was asked with growing happiness. He was staying close to them! He would see them most weekends! And most of all, Edith would be in London! Or Timbuktu for all she cared.
"No, I'll commute. It's only an hour's drive. But I still have to convince the board that my phobia is cured. Sam will help with that but I will still have to prove myself to everyone before I can perform surgery unsupervised. I feel confident that it will go smoothly. Just not completed yet." He explained.
"Will you still live in the surgery or move to some place smaller? Joan would love it if you moved in with her!" The last was said with laughter.
"We would drive each other mad! No, I plan on staying where I live now, unless you want to live somewhere else?" He asked hesitantly. God, what if she said no!
It took a few seconds for this to sink in. He could have sworn that at least five minutes went by before she answered. "Martin, I said that you wouldn't make me happy. Well I've been miserable without you, every day, all day. But, will I make you happy? You said that I wouldn't and nothing's changed. You know that I can be messy, need to learn to cook and that I snore. The baby will need a lot of space and things. Dirty nappies, sleepless nights, spit up, toys and noise. Can you live with all those things?" She asked, seriously.
"I'm stubborn, difficult to talk to, rude and generally unfriendly. Can you live with those things? And, I've discovered that your snoring doesn't bother me at all so strike that. Becoming accustomed to living with a child will be difficult for both of us but I can't envision not living with it. Can you? And babies grow out of those stages you know. They don't last forever." He assured her.
"Are you asking me to marry you?"
"Well, yes. What did you think I was doing? Before the baby is born preferably. So?" He was actually nervous about her answer! This blessed, difficult and wonderful man.
"Yes, I'll marry you. And, I'll live at the surgery or anywhere else with you. Even London." But she held her breath, hoping that he would still say Truro.
She wasn't disappointed. "No, I really think we'll be happier here. I want Aunty Joan to know our child and for it to know her. The happiest times of my childhood were spent on the farm with Uncle Phil and her. As to the surgery, if I'm no longer the village GP, we'll add two more large rooms to our living space."
"Oh Martin! I do so love you!" and she scooted close to him. It was difficult for them to embrace but needs must and they worked it out. He shifted her to his lap so had total access to her and the baby.
"Oh yes, you should wear this again." And he handed her the engagement ring again just as he had the first time. She joyfully put it on and he shoved it in place. "This time it stays!" she said firmly.
They called Joan, Martin not wanting to take the chance that she would hear from the mailman again about their re-engagement. Needless to say, she couldn't have been happier for them. They sat up late talking and planning. He wanted to stay that night but her single bed made it too difficult and he thought it too late for her to make the trip to the surgery.
The next day was Saturday so a good time for her to move back to the surgery. He showed up at first light to fix breakfast and to help her start packing. It seemed the way to there was filled with well-wishers yelling congratulations and offers of help. Martin wanted to go by them as fast as possible but kept a sedate pace for Louisa's sake, scowl firmly in place and "Mind your own business!" trembling on his lips.
That night, back in their bed, he held her close, relieved that she was happy and with him again. His hand rested on her stomach and he went to sleep feeling their baby move. He felt that emotion that was rare for him - contentment.
They met with the Midwife and Louisa formed an immediate bond with her. Martin had already checked out her history and found it to be more than satisfactory. She held birthing classes and Louisa had a private and proud giggle at how seriously Martin was taking his duties. He couldn't help but try to instruct her about the proper ways for her to perform her job. When she suggested that he let her sit in on his consultations so that she could instruct him, he snorted but thereafter kept his comments to himself – for the most part anyway. He put her phone number on speed dial.
They went shopping for nursery furniture in Truro and never had baby furniture gone thru such thorough inspections. The sales people were afraid that he would actually sit on the changing table to test its strength! They wrote up the receipt, promised quick delivery and almost pushed them out the door. At one time, Louisa would have blushed and apologized but no more. She just shrugged and was happy that their baby would have such well vetted furniture.
They met Chris and Carol for dinner. "I knew you two would get back together! It's fate." Carol informed them. "When will we get to see the nursery?"
Louisa asked for just one rather large change in their future home: that she hire a painter and choose the new colors. He couldn't understand what was wrong with the green that was already there but would have agreed to anything she wanted so long as they were together again.
They planned a quiet wedding with just Aunt Joan, Aunt Ruth (whom Louisa had never met), Chris, Carole, Pauline, Al, Bert and Penhale. "We have to invite him Martin. He's always there for you whenever and where ever needed." Martin gave in and almost ran away when Joe gave every appearance of breaking into tears upon hearing the news.
But the village had other ideas about the reception. Almost everyone chipped in to rent the hall. Large Restaurant organized the food and who would bring what dish. The Crab and Lobster furnished the cider and ale. Chippy Miller reminded everyone that the Doc only drank water and promised to bring a case. Chough's Baker promised a cake. Al would arrange for the dj. All in all, it looked to be a proper celebration for their Louiser. When Martin found out about it, his first thought was to refuse to attend but the look on Louisa's face when she heard about the generosity of her village convinced him to grin – make that grimace – and bear it. Louisa made a point of inviting Mrs. Tishell. She was an important member of the village and shouldn't be left out. She had no idea how deep the Chemist's obsession with Martin ran or how bitter she was about their marriage.
Robert kept Martin informed about his progress with the board and the Truro Hospital. Other members of the board and the head of the hospital also wanted to meet him face to face. Robert came to Truro because he board wanted Martin to assist in some surgeries so they could assess his performance. They did a few with Robert leading but soon Martin was in charge. When operating, his concentration was absolute so he didn't notice all the eyes on him, checking for any failings or discomfort. He passed with flying colors. After that, they wanted the assurances from his therapist and then it was definite.
The wedding took place with the same vicar who was to marry them the first time. He started with, "Barely deloved" earning a scowl from Martin. Martin tried to act as a proper groom but was just too eager and impatient with all the 'claptrap' involved to let the vicar drone on. When it was time to kiss the bride, he looked around the room, clearly hesitant to do something that intimate in front of everyone. Then he looked at Louisa. Never had a kiss been so sweet.
He was determined for Louisa to enjoy the reception and was surprised to see the gifts from various people. There were gifts for the baby: teddy bears and outfits that brought forth the oddest sounds from the women. Martin was puzzled at this behavior but had the good sense to keep quiet. The rest of the men watched in amusement and the women ignored them and continued to enjoy themselves. Aunt Joan brought a blue onsie and Martin marveled that a baby could be that small. The most precious gift to Louisa was a quilt that the village quilt guild made them. It had the jewel toned colors that she associated with Port Wenn – azure blue, soft lilac, aqua, meadow green and soft mauve. Martin appreciated the skilled handiwork of the women and personally thanked them. It was a Martin thank you which consisted of "Yes" but it was enough. They all knew the Doc. They did the obligatory dance and his poor toes! Louisa never took dance lessons and her big stomach threw off her balance. Martin said that he could tell. Gallant Martin!
He had never thought that picking out names would be so difficult. They each wrote lists and looked up popular names. Pauline made suggestions and Joan jokingly said they should name it Phoan, a combination of her's and Phil's names and suitable for either sex. Penhale wistfully suggested Joseph. Finally, they decided to each pick their favorite name and those two would be it. For a son she picked James and he Henry – James Henry it was. For a girl, she picked Ruth and he picked Ann – Ruth Ann. Perfect! He pointed out that names for both genders wouldn't have been necessary if she had just agreed to find out the baby's sex but she smiled and said that a surprise would be more interesting.
She woke him up one night saying the labor pains had started. He had it all planned out, called the midwife and got all the necessary things together. Calm, cool and collected. She asked some questions, he barked out the answers and she was on her way.
Louisa paced the floor letting out nerve racking groans that came more and more frequently, especially after her water broke. Martin was sweating buckets and trying to comfort her. "Pant! You're supposed to pant!" This was hell! How could women go through this? Never again!
Sissy, the midwife knocked on the door and he rushed to answer it, almost pushing her into the consulting room. She had to look twice at him – first time a one of her new fathers had worn a suit and tie!
"Alright, can you get on the table? I want to see how far you're dilated? Hum, this looks fine. Shouldn't be too much longer. You said no pain meds so here we go."
Martin had heartily disapproved of this decision but to no avail. Louisa let out an, to Martin's ear, agonized and long groan and he lost all his good resolutions in a flash. He had seen horrible damage done to human bodies and never turned a hair but this was Louisa. "Is that underlay sterile? Where's your bag? Come on woman, answer me! Do something about her pain! What do you mean she said no drugs. Idiotic! Why did you not have the sense to ignore her? Did you pay people to write your good reviews? What's taking you so long? Gawd!"
Sissy remained calm, used to this kind of panic among the prospective fathers, but Louisa wasn't. "Mar-tin! Stop criticizing! Do you think it will make him come any faster? Do you seriously think you're helping? H-m-m?" Then she looked at his face and saw the terror there. "Martin, I need you to help me. Remember our classes and what you're supposed to do. I need you Martin. Please come here and let me brace myself against you." She said these words through gritted teeth, determined to try and reduce her moans. As anyone who's gone through child birth even with pain meds can tell you, she didn't succeed. But her pleas worked. He calmed down and did his part just fine.
An hour later, he cut the cord and handed her their son. "It's a boy! It's a boy! Oh, we have a son!"
Martin stood, looking at his family in awe, not sure what his next move should be. "Do you want to hold him?" Louisa asked.
"No, no. Better not. He's a baby and I'm not very good with babies. I might hurt him…or do something wrong."
"You could learn." She said, encouragingly.
He reached for that tiny little body with his huge hands and said, "Yes, I could." He held him up to look at the face of his son and his expression was all that Louisa could ever hope for – absolute adoration. "Hello, James Henry."
Sissy smiled at another happy family. She loved her job!
He handed him back and Louisa asked, "Isn't he beautiful?"
"His head's misshapen. The skull contracts and thus is allowed to pass through the birth canal." Said the doctor.
But she had seen the father's face. It was enough.
Sissy made sure that all was ok, packed up her things and left with the thanks of the new parents ringing in her ears. Even Martin thanked her.
