Chapter 28
Louisa was pushed to the limit between dealing with the end of term with its tests, forms, ceremonies, meetings and a myriad of other things that popped up every day and her wedding plans. It was hard to keep her mind on work when she was so excited about the wedding and the baby. He had grown so much and was constantly active. She sometimes felt like her insides were a punching bag. Other times that she was the amazing exploding woman. She realized how hard Martin was trying to not smother her but sometimes she wanted to scream – loudly! STOP FUSSING OVER ME! And she fantasized about a hot cup of caffeinated coffee. School holidays would start in one week, she would have another week to finish all the paperwork, make sure all the current teachers would return for the next school year or start looking for replacements and ready the building for being closed for eight weeks. And a week after that, her wedding. Her due date was two weeks after that. Exhaustion was her constant companion and the holidays couldn't come quick enough.
Martin was swamped in the surgery. There was a constant stream of patients with all kinds of ailments from bunions to very serious heart problems and everything in between. Morwenna was becoming an excellent employee. Her judgment and organizational skills made his life so much easier much as his secretary in London had done. He gave her the title of Practice Manager and a fifteen percent raise. She took the title to heart and beamed with pride. He noted that she started dressing and acting more professionally – thank God. That clanking jewelry drove him mad some days. His nights were busy, too. He was called out at least once every night for two weeks. Some were true emergencies and some were (to put mildly) pains in the arse.
"You honestly think that a rash on your stomach is an emergency? For god's sake, go to bed and call for an appointment in the morning!"
"I've told you that unless you take the medicine that I prescribed for you, you will continue have indigestion. Indigestion is not a heart attack! How hard is that to understand!"
"You called me out at three o'clock in the morning because you think you might be pregnant because you had sex tonight! Where are your parents anyway? Tell them to call the surgery tomorrow to make an appointment! You need adult supervision!"
"All right Miss Redwork, I've called an ambulance and it's on the way. I've given you something for your heart and the ambulance workers are very skilled and well trained. I'll call ahead to the hospital to tell them you're coming. You'll be in good hands."
"This baby has whooping cough. Did you not take her in for her vaccinations? No? You're both idiots! This is a very serious disease and the baby could actually stop breathing. I'm calling an ambulance for her. I want to stress how serious this is and it could've been prevented if you had acted with even a modicum of sense! All this silly talk about vaccines being bad for babies is just that – SILLY! On top of all that, it's a highly contagious disease. I'm calling ahead to inform the emergency room doctor that the baby has not been protected from dangerous diseases and strongly recommend that you ask him to start giving her the protection she needs!"
"How did you fall? Changing a light bulb in the stairwell can be very dangerous. Why didn't you get someone to hold the ladder? Oh, you didn't want to disturb anyone at this time of night? How considerate of you! Now you've broken your leg and disturbed me! Oh, don't worry. I've already been out tonight on one fool's errand so why not again? You idiot! Stop moaning! The ambulance is on its way. You'll be well taken care of."
And on it went. Then there was Louisa and the baby. She was working too hard and looked exhausted but he knew better than to say anything. He'd like to keep his head on his shoulders! All he could do was prepare good, nutritious meals, make sure she drank plenty of fluids and take her vitamins. He exaggerated how tired he was so that she would go to bed early with him. They cuddled but had stopped having sex a month ago. They were both accustomed to a regular, healthy sex life and its absence put them both on edge. He drove her to school and made sure she had a ride when she finished work. The holidays couldn't come soon enough for him.
Louisa found it very difficult to keep her swimming routine. Martin suggested a treadmill and that turned out to be a good substitute until the baby dropped so low that she felt like he was going to fall out.* Martin hated to go when she couldn't. He tried to increase the walking around the village he did every day.
As for Buddy and Martin; they had reached an understanding. If the dog insisted on staying then he needed to be taken care of for the sake of Louisa and the baby. He couldn't expose them to a dirty dog with no vaccination record. A trip to the vet for an exam was scheduled and Buddy was pronounced healthy. After a bath, his coat turned out to be bright white and glossy brown. Everyone agreed that he was a very handsome dog except Martin who gave his usual response – humph. Vaccinations were done and they went home. Doc bought a sturdy, well insulated and water proof dog house for him. The side door of the surgery was more protected from bad weather than the front but Martin had a time convincing Buddy to sleep in it instead of guarding the front door. He put the new food and water bowls next to the house so Buddy finally accepted it. He quivered with pleasure the few times Martin reached down to pet him. Martin couldn't believe how soothing a relationship with a dog could be. It became a familiar sight to see the Doc striding through the village with Buddy at his side. Buddy shadowed his steps as if he had been trained to heel.
Eventually, Buddy went on house calls with Martin as long as he rode in the back seat. Louisa had never had a pet and was a little doubtful about having the dog around the house. He might harm the baby. It took Buddy no time at all to charm her. He was so well behaved that she couldn't help but trust him and grew to love him as part of the family.
The final day of school! Louisa almost cheered as the children ran out the door all excited about their holiday. The baby acted like he was celebrating, too. Louisa could have sworn that he was turning flips and he dropped low making her hips and back hurt. Her obstetrician told her it wouldn't be long and to pack a suitcase when she got home. When she told Martin, he nodded, mumbled something and hurried into the loo to take deep calming breaths.
The last week felt like a month! The staff worked steadily and by week's end, were ready to skip out the door to start their holidays. Louisa couldn't get all hers finished so ended up taking piles home with her. Martin helped her as much as he could but she told him "If I have to stop what I'm doing to tell you what to do, it takes twice as long to get anything accomplished. But, a cuppa would be wonderful." He accepted that all he could do for her was prepare healthy food, have plenty of liquids available and watch. He noticed that when she walked, she actually placed her hands under her belly as if she was trying to hold the baby up. She also held her back frequently so he knew she was uncomfortable. He bought a heating pad and messaged her back every morning and every night with cocoa butter. They sat in wonder as they watched her stomach moving knowing that it was their baby. At last, when she told him the last form was filled out and everything else finished, he brought her TWO chocolate digestives and a glass of milk to celebrate. The next day they walked out of the school together, he firmly pulled the door closed and she locked it.
Now, the wedding. Morwenna and Sally worked on the decorations but wouldn't let Louisa see them. When they were ready for the big reveal, they took her to Bert's for dinner then to Morwenna's house. The decorations were completely lovely. Louisa cooed and stroked and pictured the chapel all hung with flowers and streamers. "You've done excellent work! Oh, everything's going to be perfect! Thank you both for everything. May I take one to show Martin? Our wedding will be beautiful!"
Watching Martin try to act excited was touching and amusing. "Yes, it looks…well, yes. Very…um satisfactory."
She giggled and, with the baby in the way, had to stretch up to kiss him. "Yes, very satisfactory indeed!"
Joan and the florist worked on the flower arrangements. Moira, the florist, couldn't find peach flowers like Louisa wanted so they decided to dye some white ones. Perfect! Joan thought that a plain white boutonniere was best for Martin. Peach for Al and Bert.
Then, Louisa had a terrifying thought. "Martin, do you realize that we have to dance at the wedding? It's expected of us."
"So, what's the problem? One dance won't hurt us." He replied absent mindedly.
She was chewing her lip and tapping her fingers together "Can you dance? I've never learned! Mar-tin! We're going to look like proper fools! In front of everybody!"
"Yes, of course I can dance. It was required at school so I believe I can teach you. Stand up, please. Now place your left hand on my shoulder and place your right hand in mind. No, wait. Watch my feet." He did a simple box step. "Now, you try it except your steps are the opposite of mine. Understand?"
She stared at her feet as she clumsily tried to copy his steps.
"No, watch again. Now remember, your steps are opposite of mine. Hold my hands and let's do it together. One, two, three and four. One, two, three and four. Aarg! No, don't stop. Let's try again. One, two, three and four. One, two, hunh! Let's practice separately again." Good lord! The woman had absolutely no talent for dancing at all! And it was just a simple box step!
She was blushing and trying to stay off his feet, listen to his count and do the opposite of his steps. She looked up and "Maybe if you held my waist and hand, I could feel what you're doing. Ok?"
"Well yes, that might work. Left hand on my shoulder and your right hand in mine. One, two, three, four. One, two, thre…Aarg!. Hm-m. Maybe the box step isn't the best choice. How about a more sim…I mean a prettier step? Same set up. Left hand goes, yes that's right. Now, a gentle rocking and we sort of go round and roun…Ouch! Yes that's enough for tonight. Is there particular music?"
She was humiliated. "Martin, we don't have time for this and your poor feet! I'm just going to say that my back hurts too much to dance. That's not a complete lie. My back hurts worse every day."
"It's up to you. It's not an ambition of mine to dance in front of the village idiots. But, your back pain does worry me. Go lie down and I'll massage it for you. We'll call Dr. Bailey in the morning." Just then, his mobile rang. "Ellingham. Yes. When did the pain start? Alright, stay where you are and I'll be there shortly." He turned to Louisa "It's Miss Sawls. You know she can't come in for an office visit. I'll be back as soon as I can. You go to bed with the heating pad." And he raced out the door. Buddy sprang up, ready for action. Martin opened the car door and he jumped in.
Miss Sawls was in poor health and, for some reason, she was special to Martin. Maybe because she was so self effacing, so helpless. And she never failed to thank him for whatever he did for her. He spoke gently and soon took care of her problem.
"I'm so sorry for bothering you like this, Doctor. It's just that I couldn't deal with the pain any longer."
He replied "Don't worry about calling me. I'll always come as quickly as I can. But where's your care giver? You shouldn't be alone."
"I know but she had a family emergency and took a few days off. I have plenty of food so I'll be alright." She answered.
"No, this won't do at all. I'll call Home Health first thing in the morning and someone will be here to help you until – what's her name again? – comes back. I'll return before lunch to check on your knee again. It shouldn't be this inflamed. Will you be alright until the morning?"
She replied in her soft voice "Yes, I'm fine. I think I'll be able to sleep. Thank you so much for coming and all that you do for me. Please tell Louisa that I wish I could come to the wedding but I don't think it will be possible."
He looked puzzled and asked "Is it because you won't have a ride? I can arrange one if you like."
"Oh, that would be wonderful? Are you sure I won't be a bother?" She was excited but very weary and pale.
'No, not a bother. Let me help you to your bedroom. You need to rest. I'll call you with the arrangements."
By the time he got home, Louisa was asleep, curled up on her side and snoring softly. He completed his usual bedtime routine and spooned up close to her. She mumbled and pulled his hand to rest on the baby.
Three days till the wedding.
*That's exactly what it felt like as I got closer to my due date. I literally felt like Michael Lee was going to fall out every time I stood up. It was a miserable feeling.
