Back On Track

by Twinsfan725

Post-series 7. After the events of episode 8, Martin and Louisa are determined to give their marriage one last try. Martin knows he must change in order for them to stay together, but can he do it?

10. Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Martin sat down behind his desk, pulling out the stack of patient notes from its card stock sleeve. "What's the big emergency, Mr. Miller?" he sighed.

Chippy sat down across from Martin and placed his hand on the desk. Martin refrained from looking away at the gruesome, black sores covering the back of the fisherman's hand and wrist.

"What is it, Doc?" Chippy asked frantically when Martin didn't say anything. "It's serious, isn't it? Am I gonna die?"

Martin stood up and went to his cart of supplies and snapped on a pair of latex gloves. Pulling his stool over, he sat down and started examining Chippy's hand.

"Well? How long do I have?"

"Shush!" Martin looked up at the anxious fisherman. "Mr. Miller, if you want me to diagnose your condition, it would be helpful if you stopped talking and kept still!"

Chippy closed his mouth and relaxed his hand on the desktop while Martin finished his examination.

Standing up, Martin pulled off his gloves and dropped them in the bin next to the sink. "You have a type of anthrax," he said while washing his hands.

Chippy frowned. "What's anthrax, Doc? Is it fatal?"

Sitting back down behind his desk, Martin picked up his biro and scribbled down a few notes. Looking up at his patient, he explained, "Anthrax is a disease most commonly passed on from infected animals to humans. And yes, it can be fatal, if left untreated. But in your case, you have cutaneous anthrax." He pointed to the black sores on Chippy's hand. "These black ulcers are eschars. They're caused by exposure to Bacillus anthracis, which releases an anthrax toxin into the blood. Have you been around any grazing animals recently?"

Chippy thought for a moment. "Yeah, my brother owns a farm just outside of Bude; was helpin' him out with his fencin'."

"Hmm. You probably had an open sore of some type that was exposed to the pathogen. Your brother needs to have his livestock vaccinated, otherwise the ingestion of anthracis can be very serious - fatal, if untreated."

"Oh. Well, I'll tell 'im, Doc. The tosser thinks he owns the world cause he has a few hundred acres of farmland. Not anymore. He's the reason I've got these . . . ?"

"Eschars," Martin finished for him.

"Right. Yeah."

"Mm." Martin looked down at his prescription pad. "I'm prescribing you penicillin. Mrs. Tishell should have it. The, um, ulcers should clear up in a few weeks. If not, come back and see me." He signed and handed over the prescription.

"Thanks, Doc." Chippy paused for a moment as he looked at Martin. "You know, you're alright, Doc. I know you think everyone in the village has it out for ya, what with your haemaphobia and all that. But you really are a good man. We appreciate you here, Doc; more than I think you realise."

Martin was taken aback by Chippy's kind words. He was unsure of what to say in response. He cleared his throat. "Mm, thank you, Mr. Miller. And, erm . . . I'm glad to be here as well."

Chippy gave Martin a smile that immediately made him uncomfortable. "If you could give these to Morwenna . . ." He held the sleeve of notes out for Chippy.

"Oh, yeah, sure." The fisherman took the notes. "Thanks again, Doc. I was so worried it was something serious."

"Mm, you're welcome." He watched Chippy leave, then turned back to the papers on his desk.

At lunch, Martin was able to check on Louisa. She was upstairs in bed with his laptop open on her lap. She looked up at him as he entered the room. "Hi, Martin."

He sat down on his side of the bed. "How are you feeling?" He reached over for the thermometer then placed it in her ear.

"Much better," she said, wiping her nose with a tissue.

The thermometer beeped. "Mm, your temperature's still a little high, but lower than yesterday."

"Do you think I'll be able to go back to work tomorrow?"

Martin sighed. "Yes, but don't get your hopes up. Louisa, you could still be harbouring the virus because of your anemia. I just don't want you to expose the children at the school to the pathogen."

"I know." She gave him a tender look. "How has your morning been?"

Martin turned away and stared at the wall. "Mm, the usual bunch of malingerers and simpletons."

"Mar-tin!"

He looked at her. "What?"

Louisa shook her head. "Never mind. I'm glad your day is going okay."

"Mm."

Louisa reached for his hand. "Have you thought of something to do for your birthday?"

"No, not yet."

Louisa looked at him in sympathy. Was his childhood that deprived that he couldn't enjoy his own birthday? "Will you let me make it a surpise?"

Martin scrunched his nose. "Oh, Louisa, I don't know . . ."

She squeezed his hand. "Please, Martin. Let me do this for you. You deserve a special day for your birthday, even if it is forty years too late. I want to be the one to give it to you - to make it special."

Martin let out a sigh. He knew he couldn't deny her request. Though he wouldn't admit it, deep down he really did want to celebrate his birthday. Maybe not in the way Louisa did with James' first birthday, but to spend it with his family was what he wanted most. "Okay. But can you keep the guest list to a minimum?"

"Yes, of course." She smiled at him then leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you." He peered over her shoulder to see what she was doing on his laptop. "What are you doing on there?"

Louisa snapped the computer shut. "Nothing. Just checking my email."

Martin eyed his wife with curiosity. "Mm. Is, um, Jennifer out with James?"

"It's Janice, not Jennifer, Martin. And they went out to get some lunch. I would have joined them, but my doctor prescribed immediate bed rest."

Martin shook his head. "Louisa, you don't need to stay in bed anymore, just take it easy." He noticed her smile. "Oh, I see. You were making a joke."

"Yes, Martin, I was joking." She reached up and fingered the hair above his ear.

Martin remained quiet for a few minutes, enjoying his wife's delicate touch. "Do you ever wish you were with somebody more . . . whimsical, er, I mean, extroverted?"

Louisa furrowed her brow. "Martin? Where is this coming from? You know that I love you for who you are."

He shrugged. "I know. I just wonder, is all."

Louisa touched his cheek, causing him to turn and face her. "Martin, you may not be the most sociable person, but your goodwill towards the health of the village, your devotion to me and James, is what I love most about you. I can't imagine myself with anyone else. You're the man that I love - that I'll always love."

Martin looked down at their entwined hands. He didn't even remember lacing their fingers together; it was just a reflex for him to be near her. "I can't imagine life without you, Louisa. I need to say this, but I'm terrified I'm going to muck things up between us again. I don't want to go back to how we were - when everything was a mess. I need your help, Louisa, because I can't do it on my own."

Louisa's face fell at his words. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him, resting her cheek against his. "Yes, Martin, I will. I don't want us to drift apart again. But you have to talk to me - if something's troubling you."

Martin placed a hand on her back, gently caressing her through the fabric of her pyjama top. "I'm trying - I want to. I just never know what to say."

Louisa pulled away to look into his eyes. "We'll help each other. How does that sound?"

"Yes. That would be good."

Louisa toyed with his cufflink. "Will you have lunch with me? If you have time, that is."

He nodded, looking down at her. "Yes. I'll check with Morwenna, but yes, I would like to have lunch with you."

"Good. I was thinking along the lines of some soup. Will that do for you?"

Martin's eyes sparkled. "Yes. Anything you want."

. . .

At the school the following week, Louisa was in the middle of packing her messenger bag, eager to get home to Martin and James, when she heard the faint buzz from her mobile vibrating on her desk. Picking it up, she read the text message from Martin. She quickly typed out a response then stowed the device in her purse.

Half an hour later, Louisa struggled through the front door of the surgery, her school bag and purse slung across one shoulder and Martin's dry cleaning over the other.

"Evening!" Morwenna announced as she looked up from the computer monitor.

"Hi, Morwenna. Does Martin still have surgery?" she asked, shutting the front door behind her.

"Yeah. He's still with a patient, sorry."

"Hmm. Well when he's finished could you let him know I'm home?"

"Of course."

Louisa gave Morwenna a smile before dragging herself up the stairs. In their bedroom, she draped Martin's dry cleaning across the bed then set her messenger bag and purse down by the dresser. Opening Martin's wardrobe, she saw the picture James had "drawn" when they went out to eat a couple of weeks ago taped underneath the mirror on the door. She smiled to herself. She didn't think of Martin as the sentimental type, but when it came to their son he was an entirely different person - gentle and caring, not at all like the gruff doctor he portrayed himself to be.

After hanging Martin's suits in the wardrobe, Louisa went downstairs to check on James. She found Janice in the living room, watching James as he stacked his building blocks one on top of the other.

"Did he give you any trouble today?" Louisa asked as she knelt next to her son on the floor.

Janice shook her head, smiling. "Not at all. He hardly throws a fit when he's with me." She looked down at James. "I don't know where he gets his calm temperament from." Glancing up at Louisa with wide eyes, the girl explained, "I mean, for a toddler, it just seems unusual for him to be so well behaved."

Louisa craned her neck and looked at the childminder askance. "Then Martin and I must be doing something right."

"Right." Janice let out a breath. "Well, I should be going." She leaned over and ruffled James' hair. "See you tomorrow, little man."

Louisa half-smiled, remembering that Mike, their former childminder, used to say the same thing. "Bye, Janice."

"Bye, Louisa. Have a good night." Swinging her backpack over her shoulders, she gave mother and son a wave goodbye.

Turning her attention to her little boy, Louisa said, "What are you building there, James?"

James looked up at his mother. He gave her a wide smile and handed her the red block that was in his hand. "Mum!"

Louisa smiled. "Thank you, sweetheart. Shall we put this one on top?"

James clapped his hands, giving Louisa permission to add the red block onto the precarious-looking tower. The boy reached for another block, and standing up, placed a green one on top of the red one.

Louisa watched her son. He was so much like Martin, personality-wise. He was generally a quiet toddler, not too vocal, and not one to obsessively crave for attention. She could tell he was an intelligent child, another trait of Martin's, from the way he focused and concentrated on putting each of his blocks on top of each other. But he also had a bit of a lively spirit, something she thought he inherited from her.

After adding the green block, James purposely pushed his tower over, sending the blocks scattering across the carpet of the living room. He let out a laugh and clapped his hands.

Louisa chuckled. "You silly boy," she said, taking him into her arms. She tickled his sides, causing the young Ellingham to erupt in another fit of giggles.

"What's going on out here?"

Louisa looked up to see Martin standing on the top step of the kitchen. "James and I are just playing."

"I see."

Louisa struggled to keep a squirming James in her arms. "Why don't you join us?"

He shook his head. "Mm. Sorry, I can't. I was in the middle of cleaning up the consulting room."

"Oh. Maybe later, then?"

Martin tugged on his ear. "Yes. Um, were you able to pick up my dry cleaning?"

"Yes."

"I would have done it myself, but my afternoon was pretty full."

"That's alright, Martin. I didn't mind." Louisa gave up at keeping James in her lap. She released her hold on him and watched as he rushed over to Martin.

"Da-ee!" James squealed as he ran to Martin.

Martin smiled as he bent down and picked up his son, settling him against his chest. He briefly brushed his fingers over the boy's cheek and hair. "How are you, James?"

James giggled and placed his little hands on Martin's cheeks. "Da-ee!"

"That's right, James."

Louisa stood up from the floor and approached her two men. Placing a hand on Martin's arm she said, nodding to James, "I'll get his dinner started first. Was there something special you wanted?"

"Um, no. Whatever you decide is fine."

Louisa took James from Martin, who let out a whimper at being separated from his father. "C'mon, James. You can help Mummy with dinner."

Martin watched for a moment as his wife whispered to their son while she settled him into his high chair. He grinned slightly, thinking how he was the luckiest man in Portwenn. He had a beautiful wife, whom he loved dearly, and a son who was the centre of his world.

"You okay, Martin?"

Martin was pulled from his thoughts by Louisa's soft voice. "Yes." She smiled at him and Martin ducked his head, then turned on his heel towards the consulting room.

. . .

"Happy birthday, Martin," Louisa whispered in his ear early the next morning.

Martin yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Looking at his watch on his bedside table, he said, "Technically, it's not my birthday until ten-thirty."

"Oh."

He turned on his side to face her. "It's fine. I don't mind. Thank you."

Louisa wrapped her arms around him, leaning forward to kiss him gently. Martin returned her gesture, putting a bit of passion into his kisses. He heard a low moan escape Louisa's throat, and he let his left hand trail down her back to rest against her bottom.

"Mm, Martin," she purred, resting her forehead against his. "That was nice. As much as I'd like to continue this, I have to be at the school early. I have a handful of interviews for the new year four teaching position." She started to pull away, but Martin refused to let her go.

"Can't we just stay like this for a few more minutes? Please?"

Louisa smiled at him. "Since it's your birthday - yes, we can." She reached out and caressed his cheek, feeling the slight roughness of his unshaven jaw.

Martin ran his fingers through her dark hair, loving its silky smoothness. "You're so beautiful, Louisa," he whispered to her.

Louisa shifted herself closer to him, nuzzling her nose into his neck. "Thank you, Martin."

"I'm so lucky," he breathed out as one of his hands made its way up her side.

Louisa inhaled a sharp breath as she felt his fingers stop at her rib cage, his thumb grazing the edge of her breast. "Martin, please . . ."

"Mm." He felt her begin to move away. "Don't go."

Louisa softened at his pleading expression. She ran a hand over the unruly patch of hair at the crown of his head. "I have to, I'm sorry. But I'll make it up to you later, alright?"

"Okay," he said with a sigh.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom.

A short time later, Martin meandered into the kitchen freshly shaved and smartly dressed in one of his gray suits. Louisa was simultaneously feeding James while reading over her interview notes. She looked up once she noticed his presence. "Is the coffee okay?" she asked as he stared down at his cup with an unpleasant look.

Glancing up at Louisa he replied, "It's fine."

"Oh. Good." She turned to James. "Can you say happy birthday to Daddy, James?"

"Da-ee!" the boy cried, waving his spoon back and forth, sending bits of oatmeal flying about.

"I think he just likes saying your name, Martin," Louisa remarked, smiling at their son.

"Mm." Martin sat down across from her with his cup of coffee.

"Aren't you going to eat anything? I left an egg for you on the cooker."

"I'm not really hungry."

Louisa looked across the table at him through lowered lids. "I see. You should really eat something, Martin. You're always telling me a good breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

Martin nodded. "Yes. I just don't have an appetite at the moment."

"Hmm." Louisa glanced down at her watch. "Gosh! I need to go!" She wiped James' face then started gathering her papers together. After knotting her scarf and slipping on her coat, she pulled her school bag over her shoulder then moved towards Martin. "I should be home early today."

Martin furrowed his brow, noticing a sparkle in his wife's eyes. She was planning something, or already planned it, he could tell. He started to grow wary of the day ahead. Yes, it was his birthday, he just hoped he could be spared any humiliation from whatever his wife had planned for him.

"Try not to get too worked up today, okay?" she said, looking down at him.

"Yes."

She smoothed her fingers over the fine hairs just above his ear. "I love you. And happy birthday, my extraordinary man." Before he could say something, Louisa leaned down and kissed him; a sweet, lingering kiss that, she was sure, left him wanting more.

"Mm. Um, me too," he stammered. "I mean, I love you, too."

"I know." She moved to James. "Bye, darling," she whispered in his ear then kissed the top of his head. A moment later she was out the door.

As Martin walked out to the reception area later that morning, he saw Bert Large sitting on the seat below the window next to Morwenna's desk. He gave the "handyman" a displeasing look.

"Mornin', Doc!" Bert said. "A little birdy told me it was your birthday today."

"It's your birthday?!" Morwenna inquired, looking up at him from her computer. "I didn't know that."

Martin scowled at her then turned his attention to Bert. "Who told you it was my birthday? Was it Louisa?"

Bert chuckled. "Does it matter? The real question is when's the party?"

Martin's frown deepened. How could Louisa have gone and blabbed that it was his birthday? Like a virus, it only took one person for the gossip to spread through the entire village. He slapped down the sleeve of patient notes he was holding on to Morwenna's desk. "There is no party," he grumbled. "If you don't have an actual medical complaint, then go away! I don't need my time wasted!" Martin turned and headed back to his consulting room.

"But what about my back, Doc?" Bert called out.

"Make an appointment!" Martin shouted in response. "Next patient!"

Morwenna turned to Bert. "Do you think I should get him something? You know, since it's his birthday. How old do you think he is?"

Bert chuckled then shrugged his shoulders. "Aw, I wouldn't worry about it, girl. The doc doesn't seem like the gift-receiving type."

"Yeah, but still. I feel sorta bad that I didn't know it was his birthday." Morwenna paused as she thought. "Say, who did tell you it was the doc's birthday?"

Bert looked around the reception room, seeing the eyes of the other waiting patients glued in his direction. He leaned closer to Morwenna and whispered conspiratorially, "Let's just say that Mrs. T was very generous with the pain meds I got for my back."

Morwenna's eyebrows shot up. "No? It was Mrs. Tishell?"

Bert eyed the receptionist. "But you didn't hear that from me."

Morwenna smiled. "Right."

Martin was tidying his desk at lunch when there was a knock on the door of the consulting room. "Yes?" he called out.

The door opened and Mrs. Tishell stepped through, her arms full with a giant fruit basket. "Good afternoon, Doctor!"

Martin tensed as she moved closer to him. He started fiddling with a paper clip to keep his fingers busy.

"I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday," she said, setting the large basket down on the edge of his desk. "I remembered you don't eat chocolate, so I thought a nice fruit basket would be appropriate."

Martin stared dumbfounded at the basket of fruit on his desk. What was he supposed to do with all that fruit? Who knows how long it's been sitting out, probably going through the first stages of fermentation. "Um, er, thank you, Mrs. Tishell."

"Are you surprised that I remembered?" She gave him a wide smile.

"Remember what?"

"Your birthday."

"Oh." He cleared his throat, feeling like the room was getting smaller. "I never mentioned to you when my birthday was."

She waved him off. "Oh, I have my sources. We medical professionals tend to be close, if you know what I mean." She winked at him.

"Um, right. Well, it was lovely seeing you," he said sarcastically, "but I really am busy, Mrs. Tishell." He looked away from her, eager to end their conversation.

"Oh, right, of course. I'll just be on my way, then, to Clive - my husband, who is doing very well."

"Good. Goodbye."

"Happy birthday, Dr. Ellingham!" she sing-songed as she made her exit.

Martin looked at the basket of fruit on his desk with a curled lip. He was tempted to put it right in the bin out on the front terrace, but decided he couldn't waste all that fruit. He was sure some of it was still edible enough - at least for him.

. . .

At three o'clock, Louisa entered the kitchen through the back door, hauling with her several plastic bags of shopping. She walked over to the hallway under the stairs, listening for Martin's voice. She could hear him with a patient, and from his angry tone, surmised that he wasn't too happy.

Moving back into the kitchen, she started putting away the groceries she had purchased on her way home from the school. Everything was in place for Martin's birthday dinner, the only problem was getting him out of the house so she could prepare it. That was where Ruth came in.

When there was finally a gap between patients, Louisa stuck her head in the consulting room. Knocking lightly on the doorframe, she said, "Martin? Do you have a few minutes?"

He turned his head to look at her. "Um, yes."

Louisa approached his desk. "Ruth called me this afternoon while I was at school. She said she has something important to show you."

"And?" He looked back down at the medical book he was skimming through.

Louisa started to play with the buttons on her cardigan. She hated deceiving him, but it was for his own benefit - at least she hoped it was. "I don't know. She was very cryptic on the phone. That was all I could get out of her. She wants you to stop by after your last patient."

Martin let a hiss of air escape his nose. He hated being interrupted when the surgery was in session. "Can't it wait until tomorrow? I'm very busy at the moment," he said, flipping a page in the textbook.

Louisa began chewing her lip. Her attempt at getting him to leave the house for a while wasn't going according to plan. "Well, she said it was important, Martin. I really think you should pay your aunt a visit. She spends most of her time with Al thinking of new ways to improve their business. I think it would mean a lot to her if you went and visited with her."

Martin sighed, closing the medical textbook. "Louisa, I really don't feel up to it. I've had a trying day already. I'd rather just lie down for the rest of the day and be done with it."

Louisa moved to his side and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to pressure you."

He was quiet for a moment. Letting out another sigh, he said, "Mm. I suppose if it's really that important I can stop and visit with Ruth for a few minutes."

Louisa smiled in triumph. "She'd like that, Martin."

He looked up at her. "How was your day?"

She waved her hand back and forth. "Oh, you know . . . same old, same old."

He studied her features for a moment. "You look tired. Maybe you should rest for a while until Jemima returns with James?"

"Oh?"

"Mm, it's common for mothers at your age to become tired earlier in the day."

Louisa narrowed her eyes at him. "Martin Ellingham, are you saying I'm old?"

Martin's eyes grew wide. "Um, no, not exactly," he sputtered. "What I meant to say is that it's alright for you to take a break once and a while."

"Oh. I see."

"Mm." He looked down at his watch. "Louisa, my next patient is in a few minutes . . ."

"Right." She stepped away from him. She was about to leave when a thought hit her. "Martin? Where did all that fruit in the refrigerator come from?"

He looked up at her with a worried expression. "Mm, it was a gift."

"A gift? From who?"

"Mrs. Tishell," he said while clearing his throat.

Louisa frowned. "Mrs. Tishell brought you fruit?"

"Yes. Apparently, she knew it was my birthday today. Did you say something to her? Because Louisa you told me you weren't going to make a big fuss about my birthday. I don't want a party with the entire village."

Louisa crossed her arms. "I didn't mention a word to Mrs. Tishell, nor have I seen her all week. I can't believe you wouldn't trust me." She turned on her heel and left the room, closing the door with an effective bang.

Martin stared at the closed door. How did things go so wrong? he wondered. He shook his head. For as long as he would be married to Louisa, he didn't think he'd ever fully understand her. But from the way she abruptly left the consulting room, he feared he'd mucked things up again.

So what are you going to do to fix it, Ellingham? his inner voice inquired. Standing up from his desk, Martin left his consulting room to find Louisa. She was sitting on the sofa, staring at a painting on the wall. "Louisa?" he said hesitantly.

Louisa didn't move. She remained quiet and transfixed on the the dark, olive-coloured wall.

Martin cleared his throat. "Louisa? I'm sorry."

"For what?" she snapped "All I wanted was to make today special for you." She finally turned to look at him. "I didn't say anything, or tell a single soul, that it was your birthday. I wouldn't go behind your back like that. It was supposed to be a surprise."

Martin stepped down into the living room and he noticed her tear-filled eyes. "Louisa, don't cry." He sat down next to her and she turned and buried her face in his neck. He wrapped his arms around her as she trembled against him. "I'm sorry. Tell me about this surprise you had planned."

She turned her head away from his neck and began, "I was going to make you dinner. Broiled mackerel and roasted potatoes and asparagus - to satisfy your guideline of optimal nutrition. It was just going to be you, me, James, and Ruth. That's why I wanted you to visit her; so I could prepare dinner." She pulled away to look at him. "I even bought a small cake at the bakery." She smiled and wiped her eyes with her finger.

"But I don't like cake."

"I know you don't. But Ruth and I would have had some."

"I see."

"Can we start over?" Louisa asked as she smoothed her fingers over the pattern of his blue tie.

Martin furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, can we just forget our argument and start the evening over?"

Martin brushed his fingers across her cheek. "Yes."

Louisa's smile widened. "Can I still make you dinner?"

He nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."

"Good." She stared at him for a moment. When it was just the two of them it allowed her to catch a glimpse of the real Martin - her Martin. Looking into those bluish-gray eyes of his, she could see the love he felt for her expressed in one simple look. And she wondered how he could say the most insensitive things to her sometimes. It was who he was, but she liked to think that she was slowly chipping away at the protective walls he built around himself.

Running her hand down his chest, Louisa leaned up to kiss him, but was interrupted by Morwenna shouting from the waiting room.

Martin sighed, his nose just inches from hers. "Um, my next patient's here."

"Yes."

He continued to look at her, not wanting to get up. "I look forward to dinner. And especially what comes after." A slight smile tugged at his lips.

"Martin!" Louisa almost burst out laughing. He hardly ever made teasing or suggestive remarks, but when he did it made her heart flutter.

"What?"

Louisa shook her head. "I just can't believe you said that. You never say things like that."

"I know. But I'm trying to change - open up more, like you wanted."

Louisa grasped his left hand, brushing her thumb over the thin metal of his wedding band. "We'll be okay, Martin. I have faith in us."

Martin blew a hiss of air through his nose. "So do I. You mean everything to me, Louisa."

Louisa wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Martin, for saying that."

"Mm." He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her. Even though he had an exhausting afternoon, there was still much to look forward to.

"Doc!" Morwenna's voice rang out once more. "Mr. Calloway isn't gettin' any younger!"

Martin opened his eyes, their moment now ended. Pulling away from Louisa he said, "I should see to that idiot."

"Mar-tin," she replied in disapproval.

"Mm." He opened his mouth to defend himself but Louisa silenced him.

"Just go." She waved her hand towards the direction of the consulting room.

He stood up from the sofa. "Um, I'll see you later?"

"Yes. But you still have to pick up Ruth. She'll be expecting you."

"Yes."

Louisa watched him leave. Despite their row earlier, she was happy that they were able to work through it together as a couple. She started towards the kitchen with an extra bounce in her step. She was going to make this the best birthday Martin ever had.

. . .

At promptly six o'clock, the entire Ellingham family sat down to dinner. James was on his best behaviour and Louisa surmised that Martin and Ruth were engaged in a medical based conversation of some sort. She was having trouble following their terminology, so she held her attention to her son. After placing a small chunk of potato on the tray of his high chair, she watched her husband. He was sitting next to her, wearing the same gray suit, except he changed his shirt and tie. He seemed more carefree than he usually was. He caught her staring at him, and Louisa averted her eyes to her plate.

"Louisa, this really is a wonderful meal," Ruth said, bringing her glass of white wine to her lips.

"Yes, it is." Martin turned to face his wife with a gentle expression.

Louisa smiled as her face reddened. She wasn't used to such praise over her cooking. "Thank you."

After dinner, Louisa and Ruth enjoyed a piece of cake while Martin sipped his tea, watching James playing on the floor of the living room with his toys.

"Da-ee!" James squealed as Martin moved to sit on the floor by him. He walked over and fell into his father's lap.

Martin picked him up and swung him above his head then plopped him down in his lap. The boy looked up at Martin with a smile and laughed.

Louisa turned from the washing up to see Martin with James in his lap. He brushed his fingers over their son's hair while he explained the mechanical workings of a train as James pushed his toy around. It was scene of normalcy she waited so very long to see. James and Martin had a special bond. She didn't know how she could have ever doubted his ability at being a father.

"Martin?" Ruth announced as she stood up from the kitchen table. "I have something for you." She reached into her handbag and pulled out an envelope.

Martin remained seated on the floor with James as his aunt handed him the envelope. He opened it and pulled out a birthday card. Inside was a photograph of himself as a young boy with his Aunt Joan and Uncle Phil. He studied the picture, trying to recall the memory of when it was taken.

"Al found it in a tin in the barn. I thought you might like it."

"Yes. Um, thank you." He continued to gaze at the faded photograph. He hardly had any pictures of his Auntie Joan. And lately, he found himself thinking about her more frequently. He still missed her presence in his life, but with Louisa and James he was able to move on.

"Maybe we can find a frame to put it in?" Louisa suggested, moving to stand behind him so she could see the photograph.

"Mm, yes." Martin tucked the photo back into the card and placed it on the coffee table.

"Well, I suppose I'll let you three enjoy the rest of your evening," Ruth said, gathering her coat from the rack next to the kitchen door.

"So soon?" Louisa asked. "I could make a pot of coffee?"

Ruth shook her head. "No thank you, dear. It's getting late and I'd rather not walk back to my cottage in the dark."

"Well, we could drive you, or Martin could, that is."

"No, that's alright. I'm not one to linger. And the walk back will be refreshing."

"Alright."

"Happy birthday, Martin," Ruth called out to her nephew as she said her goodbyes for the night.

"Yes," came his curt reply.

Ruth gave Louisa a small smile then headed out the door.

"Martin?" Louisa pulled out a large wrapped box from where she stored it in the pantry next to the washing machine. "I, um, got you something." She moved over to the living room and set the box down next to him.

He looked up at her, surprised. "Oh, Louisa, you didn't have to get me anything."

"It's just something I saw and immediately thought of you, so . . ."

"Mm, right." He handed James over to Louisa and unwrapped the box. He pulled out a mantle clock.

"I saw it in the window of an antiques shop when we were in Wadebridge. I had it delivered to the school so you wouldn't find out. I thought it might be a new project for you, since your mother took your grandfather's clock with her when she left."

At the mention of his mother, Martin looked up at Louisa. "What do you mean she took my grandfather's clock?"

"We ran into each other at the airport on the day you, um, came to rescue me from the plane. She had it with her luggage. She said you gave it to her."

A frown fell across Martin's face. "Well she lied. Her whole visit was a lie. She doesn't care about me, or James, she just wanted my money because my father left her no capital when he died. When it went missing, I thought maybe Ruth took back the clock."

Louisa reached out and took his hand. "I'm sorry, Martin. I know she was never there for you."

Martin looked down at the motionless clock. "It doesn't matter. I don't want to talk about her anymore."

"Do you think you'll be able to restore it?" She indicated the clock in his hands.

He lifted the clock up to get a better look at it. "Yes. It's not too old, shouldn't be too difficult."

"Good. I'm glad you like it."

He glanced up to meet her eyes. "Thank you, Louisa, not only for the clock, but for everything."

Louisa knew what he meant and it made a smile appear at her lips. "You're welcome, Martin."

Looking at a sleepy James, Martin said, "Shall I give him his bath or do you want to?"

"Can we do it together?"

"Yes."

Martin stood up and disposed of the box and its wrapping paper. "I'll just put this in the consulting room." He held up his "new" clock and turned away.

Turning on the light in his consulting room, Martin placed his new project down on his desk and noticed a white envelope propped up against his desk lamp. He opened it and pulled out a birthday card. Inside, he read the brief message from Morwenna. After a moment, he set the card back down then left the consulting room.

Once James was bathed and put to bed, Martin was finishing up in the bathroom. After turning out the light, he sank into bed beside Louisa. He turned on his side to face her.

"Well, it's just you and me . . . husband." She smiled at him.

"Yes."

"Was it okay - your birthday, I mean?"

"Yes. More thank okay - it was good. Thank you."

Louisa toyed with the cuff of his pyjama top. "You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Martin grasped her hand and laced their fingers together. "I did." He paused as he looked at her. She was in her dressing gown and her hair was down, falling over her right shoulder. She was so beautiful. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. "I'm so lucky," he said softly.

Louisa melted at his gesture. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. "Martin . . ."

"Yes?"

"Come here." She rolled on to her back, pulling him on top of her. His nose brushed her cheek and Louisa placed a hand behind his neck.

Keeping his forearms on either side of her to keep his weight off her, Martin turned his head and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

Louisa ran her fingers through the short hairs at the back of his neck as their kiss deepened. She inhaled a breath as he rolled them over, allowing her to be back on top.

Martin ran a hand down her back and Louisa sat up so she was looking down at him. She silently began undoing the buttons of his light blue pyjama top, letting her fingers wander over his exposed skin. Leaning down, she kissed the hollow of his throat.

"Oh, Louisa," he moaned, feeling his body respond to her gentle ministrations. His hands reached down and fumbled at the sash of her dressing gown.

Louisa pulled his hands away and undid the knot herself, letting the silky material slide off her shoulders. She kissed him again, snaking her hands around his sides to the small of his back.

Martin's expert surgeon's fingers explored his wife's every curve. She was so warm and soft that he couldn't get enough of her. "You're so beautiful, Louisa," he breathed out once their kiss ended. "So very beautiful."

Louisa looked at him. She traced the curve of his eyebrow with her thumb, down his temple, and finally stopping at the corner of his mouth.

He sat up, looking deep into her eyes. "I love you, Louisa."

Louisa felt her heart skip a beat at his words. "I love you, Martin - always."

Martin pulled her to him and together, let themselves feel the other's deep emotions. His fingers danced over her smooth skin while she finished disrobing him of his remaining clothes. They were gentle with each other, moving at a slow and tender pace, making each touch and caress last as long as possible.

Much later, their limbs still entwined and breathing even, Martin turned his head towards Louisa. She was nestled against his right side, her head resting against his collarbone. He reached for her hand and threaded their fingers together. Louisa took control and placed their joined hands on the spot above his heart. She smiled when she felt him shift their hands down and a little to the left. "Right here," he whispered.