Chapter 25

"We're getting married and that means we live together with our baby. Isn't that what you want?" He looked at her with confusion in his eyes.

"Of course that's what I want! But think Martin. Can you deal with having your routine shattered? With the crying at night? Do you honestly think you can deal with all the upset?"

He looked incredulous for one second and then switched to indignant. "I will do whatever is necessary to accept what you're describing. I love you and our baby. I want you both in our home with me. I wish you didn't doubt me quite so much."

"I'm sorry but you have to admit that you've taught me to be very careful of your privacy. I have no doubt regarding how much you love me and the baby but that doesn't change the fact that you are not a people person. Agree?"

"Well, yes, I agree. But I assumed that I was doing better. I like Mark and Brenda and enjoyed the evening we spent with them. And I…" He couldn't think of another incident that showed he was improving. The desperate expression was back.

"You are doing better but you told me that you probably wouldn't change very much, that you are as you are and I accept that. But the fact remains that I don't think you can handle the change that having a baby in the house will bring."

He looked miserable and couldn't think of anything else to say to convince her.

She looked thoughtful for a moment and then suggested this "Let's buy the baby furniture right away and get it set up. Put the play pen in the lounge with the toys and books we've collected and the high chair in the kitchen. It'll be like the baby is really here and you are not to run about picking up and cleaning up like the queen is coming when I scatter toys around the room. We'll see what it's like to have messes and how you deal with it. Then we'll talk about where the baby and I live. Agree so far?"

He nodded with a determined look on his face.

"Do you agree to taking a little test?"

Resolved to not show fear, doubt or consternation, he again nodded yes. She ignored his almighty gulp.

She called Roger and Doreen Fenn and invited them for dinner Sunday next. They were definitely supposed to bring the twins and whatever favorite toys they had. The noisier the better.

Roger immediately smelled a tiff and asked if all was well.

"It's nothing Roger. We're just trying to find out how well Martin will deal with the mess and noises that come with children. Do you still agree to come?"

Roger wore that mischievous grin that everybody in the village knew and answered, "Of course we'll be there with the kids and all. We hardly go anywhere without them."

Martin paced the floor in his consulting room out of Louisa's sight. He dreaded that superior look she would send his way if he failed her test. And Auntie Joan! If she knew, wouldn't he get an ear full from her?

They chose simple white furniture, it was delivered and they spent a Saturday afternoon setting it up after the painters were through. He had suggested plantation shutters for the window so they could darken the room for naps. The installer did her work quickly and left. Louisa stroked the bright cushions on the rocker that matched the bedding and cushion on the window seat. She stared at the bed imagining the baby already in it. The lamp on the chest of drawers was adorable and the few clothes they had purchased were neatly put away. Martin tested the changing table again for safety. He was eager to show her that he wanted to be involved so he helped color some pages, labeled them in clear print and hung them on the walls. He really surprised her when he handed her a box with a mobile in it. She opened it and exclaimed "Oh Martin! This is perfect! Let's hang it now. Where did you find something this unique?" It was made of carved wood and the craftsmanship was excellent. The things the artist carved were accurate and realistic representations of what JH would see in the ocean; a dolphin, salmon, sea horse, fishing boat, a shell and a lobster trap. They all hung from a blue whale and were finished with child friendly paint.

"Er, I ran across his shop is Truro and was very impressed with his skill. I looked at other mobiles and thought they were rather silly. So I told him what I wanted and asked if he could make it. Are you sure this is satisfactory for the nursery?"

She turned the mobile round and round, smiling at its perfection. "Oh yes, Martin, I love it. And look at the colors! And look at the shadows it makes on the wall when the sun shines in. They look like they're actually swimming. You've bought an heirloom for our family."

He looked at her hesitantly and said "Yes, we're a family and we'll give our child all the love and attention that any child could want and two parents who love and respect each other. But don't you think that we should get married. I would like our child to have my name."

She continued to play with the mobile and he started to get nervous. "Have you changed your mind about marrying me? Please tell me, Louisa."

She snapped her head around to look at him with eyes wide "No! I haven't changed my mind at all! It's just that you've never mentioned it again so I thought you had changed your mind. I didn't mean to not answer you but I was just so relieved that you asked. Yes, I'll marry you. Just name the date."

He embraced her with his cheek resting on her head. "How about a day this week? We can go to a district registrar's office."

She pulled back a little and studied his face to see if he was teasing her. No, he was completely serious. "Not quite what I had in mind so let's compromise. You name the date and I'll name the place. We can work on the guest list together. Deal?"

He really tried to keep his expression blank and not show the dismay he felt. "Oh gawd! Please not a big, pretentious wedding!"

Out loud, he replied "That sound reasonable – depending on where you want the ceremony to take place and how many people you want to invite."

"Relax. It won't be anything to make you palpitate." She teased. "The local vicar can perform the ceremony in St John's chapel – you know that really old one just outside the village? Bert can give me away and, if you don't have anyone else in mind, ask Al to be your best man. If Joan consents, I'd like her to be my maid of honor. No bridesmaids or anything like that. But I really want a reception after with music, dancing and finger foods. No open bar. Then a short honeymoon, like for a weekend. Does anything sound too demanding or unreasonable to you? Speak now or forever hold your peace."

He thought of bargaining away the reception but knew it would be a lost cause. Besides, she deserved whatever wedding she wanted. He would agree to anything just be have her as his wife and their child to have his name. "No, everything sounds just as it should be. Summer holiday is coming up shortly so we should wait for that since you'll be on break but definitely before your due date. I'd like to invite Chris and Carol Parsons by the way and a weekend honeymoon sounds good. I can make the reservations when we know the date."

That was settled so they turned around for one more look at the room. It was bright and cheerful and she was delighted with the results. He showed his 'delight' by saying his usual "Humph!" but she saw him rest his hand on the mattress and railings when he thought no one was looking.

She then started on the lounge. The play pen took up the space between the lounge and kitchen. She dumped the few toys and books they had into it and pulled a padded green rocking bug with enormous sparkly and wobbly eyes out of the coat closet. "Look! Isn't this the cutest thing? He's going to love rocking on it."

Martin found himself mesmerized by those eyes. They were definitely the strangest things he had ever seen. He didn't respond so she looked at him and saw his expression. "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

He replied "I don't know yet. Where did you get it? And don't you think those eyes are just a little frightening?"

She stepped back and looked at the eyes "Well, they're certainly 'eye' catching! No, I don't think they're in the least scary. It's just so cute!"

He shrugged his shoulders and replied "Ok, if you say so. Who gave us something like that? Do they know even less about children than I do?"

"Mark and Brenda Thresher. You have to say that he knows quite a bit about children. By the way, she just found out that she's pregnant, too. I'd like to go out with them again. Are you ok with me making some plans when we see them at our wedding?"

Still looking at those eyes "Yes, that would be fine."

She looked a little concerned "And will you promise to not say anything negative about their gift? I can assure you that James Henry will love it."

He just shook his head at her, resigned to the fact that she 'knew' she was expecting a boy.

"Yes, I promise."

As he had promised, they turned their attention to 'her space'. Unless he got rid of something, there was just no room in the lounge. It already felt smaller with the addition of the baby's things. He stood in the middle and slowly turned around. "H-m-m. How about it we move that desk into storage and put a six foot folding table there for your space? Or do you think you'll need more room?"

"Maybe. Let me get a tape measurer. I'd like to have eight or ten feet if possible." She went to the laundry room, got the tape measurer from the tool box and asked him to hold one end when she measured the space. "Ha! We can get eight feet in so I'll make do with that. Thank you Martin. This will be very satisfactory."

He stared at her in consternation. "What do you mean? 'you'll make do'? That's not what I want for you! Let's see if I can work out something better."

She was quick to reassure him "No, darling! The space will be fine. Lots of room! And, I'm trying to finish my work at school instead of here during our time. Please don't give it another thought." She looked up at him with a cajoling smile and stroked his arm. He was still troubled but nodded in agreement.

The very next day, he went to the local hardware store and found exactly what they wanted. He got a comfortable office chair with lumbar support and a desk lamp and she was content. But he wasn't. "Er, Louisa. Are you still thinking about living in your cottage? I mean…if we're married and you have this…"

She walked over to him, took his hands in hers and said the absolute sincerity "I was upset and angry when I said that. Martin, there is no way on earth that I would leave you or want to live separately from you. You're the love of my life, the father of my son and I love you. I'm happy that you're making me feel like this is my home, my home with you and our son." Then kissed him tenderly.

He held her tightly and with his face pressed close to her cheek, whispered that he loved her more than anything ever in his life and that he would never leave his family. Ever!

It was Sunday and their guests were due soon. Martin was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner while Louisa got extra chairs and set the table. She suggested letting the children eat on the bench with their parents on either side of the table. The high chair was moved to the laundry room.

"Good idea. Sitting next to them like that means Roger and Doreen can help them easily." He asked her to taste the sauce for fish. "It's Red Wine Sauce for the baked salmon. What do you think?"

"Wonderful! Want me to make the salad? And what are the veggies?" She asked.

"Yes, the greens are in the colander in the refrigerator and there are fresh vegetables to chop in the crisper. I thought a simple balsamic vinegar dressing? I'm roasting new potatoes and sautéing spinach with water chestnuts. I hope the children will eat food like this. I don't much about cooking for undeveloped palates. And, what will they drink? Do I need to go buy more milk?" He sounded a little anxious so she patted his back for reassurance.

"Don't worry about it. Let me check the milk. We're ok and we have plenty of bottled water. I also got some red and white wine.

I know you don't approve but look at this!" She left the room and came back with a decadent looking chocolate cake. "I special ordered it at It May Contain Nuts. Isn't it lovely!"

"Humph! Do the children need all that sugar? And you?" He had that concerned look that melted her heart and frustrated her at the same time.

"A little chocolate is actually good or me. It soothes my sernotapnin." She said with dead pan expression and tapped her finger tips together, hoping that he didn't know that she knew the correct pronunciation.

He turned and gave her a suspicious look "Do you know what serotonin is?"

She turned and looked at the table, fiddling with the place settings. "Of course! Why?"

"Hm-m-m. So you say. Dark chocolate contains serotonin so it can raise the levels of it in your body and improve your mood for a short period of time. However, the unnecessary fat and sugar in that cake are definitely not beneficial for pregnant women. Or for anyone else!" He told her in his best doctor's voice.

She turned, and with a bright smile, hugged him around the waist. "I told you chocolate is good for me! Thank goodness I was right!"

He returned her embrace, kissed the top of her head and asked rhetorically "Why do I bother?"

She grinned up at him and answered cheekily "Because you love me madly! Just admit it!"

He wore his usual scowl and changed the subject. "They should arrive shortly so I'll wait to warm the bread and put the sauce on the fish."

They heard children chatting and Roger's voice. Louisa rushed to the front door with a welcoming smile. "Come in, come in. It's so good to see you. My, the twins have grown!"

Martin was also there but much less enthused. When he saw how many toys they brought, his expression was still a scowl but now it was an apprehensive scowl. "Hello Roger. Doreen. Please come in." And led them into the lounge. "Lunch will be ready shortly." He glanced at the toys and the children already playing and laughing noisily and almost ran out of the room. Louisa winked at Roger and asked if they wanted some wine or tea. They both answered no and Doreen asked what was going on. Roger gave her a whispered explanation while Louisa went to the kitchen to help Martin finish preparing the food.

"Ok, it's ready. Come on in. The children can sit on the bench and you two on either side. Now, what do the children want to drink? And we have red and white wine, tea or whatever you want. Ok, here you are. Help your selves. Martin is a marvelous cook." Louisa bustled around making sure everyone was served, smiling and clearly enjoying herself. The children, though well behaved, acted like children act. They dropped food on themselves and the floor, smeared food on their faces, giggled and one spilled his milk. Martin jumped up "Oh, gawd! Louisa, get some towels."

"Martin, calm down! It's just a little milk. Doreen, here's a damp flannel for the faces. Give me his glass and I'll give him more milk." She and Martin quickly cleaned up and the meal went on. Roger worked hard to engage Martin in conversation. Louisa touched his arm, smiled and whispered "Relax. They're our friends."

Martin cleared his throat and responded to Roger. Except for glancing askance at the children from time to time, Martin relaxed and talked normally to their guests. Roger and Doreen were both intelligent and entertaining people and could converse on a number of topics. They were very complimentary about the food and, all in all, everyone enjoyed the meal. Louisa proudly brought out the cake and the children loudly gave their approval, each asking for a piece as big as the table.

"Oh, my word! I'm stuffed. That was marvelous Martin and the cake was sumptuous. Well done!" Roger patted his stomach in appreciation and Doreen chimed in that it was indeed a perfect meal.

They retired to the lounge and the children pulled out their toys and started playing. One had a dog that barked and hopped and a duck that quacked incessantly. The other one had a ghastly talking book about an unhappy hippopotamus and a small, out of tune xylophone. He loved to make up songs and play accompanying notes (bang) on the toy. The adults were drinking coffee and trying unsuccessfully to talk above the noise. The one with the dog got bored and wanted his Daddy to read him a story. The other had to potty NOW but waited too late to tell his Mommy. Martin's nose wrinkled as he tried not to breathe in the noxious smell. The box of building blocks fell over and the contents spilled out onto the floor. Martin's hands started twitching and sweat was forming on his brow. He could feel Louisa's eyes on him and determined to be calm and not start picking up the toys. Roger observed his behavior and in about half an hour, took pity on him and started their goodbyes. Martin forced himself to stay seated while the toys were cleared up and gratefully walked them to the door.

He closed the door behind them, heaved a sigh and with his arm around Louisa's waist, walked to the kitchen to start cleaning up. "Well, how do you think it went? Did I pass your test?"

"The more important question is, how do you think it went? Imagine it every day, 24/7. Can you handle it?"

"There's something you haven't considered with this test – the noise and confusion 24/7 will be caused by our child, a child that I love. That will make a huge difference don't you think?"

"Well, now that you mention it, I do believe it will make a difference." She pulled his face down and gave him a luscious kiss. "I'm very proud of you, you know. I think you cooked a perfect meal and were a perfect host."

"Thank you. I'd like to finish cleaning up the kitchen and have an early night. With my wife and child. Although the child will have to share you for a little while if you're willing."

She rubbed her face against his chest "It will go faster if you don't rearrange the dishwasher after I load it, don't you think so?"

"I promise I won't. You look very beautiful this evening. Have I told you that?"

The kitchen was cleaned up in record time and the rest of the evening was spent in the most pleasant manner possible.