Chapter 51

A new year was about to start. The first year that promised to be spent with Louisa, 365 days of the year.

Louisa was looking forward to a very special treat. At Christmas Louisa had been surprised that Martin had surpassed himself with the Christmas present. He actually had given her two tickets for a New Years concert. It would take place at some stately home that had been transformed into a hotel and conference centre. The event would start in the late afternoon with a high class classical concert, leading to a five course dinner, followed by fireworks in the surrounding park to greet the New Year at midnight. Afterwards there was some gathering with champagne. It all sounded very posh, with a strict dress code. Louisa didn't only look forward to the event itself, as she liked to be dressed up for a change, she also valued that the second ticket meant that Martin was coming, too. Knowing how he hated these sorts of things, she really was surprised when she had opened that simple envelope on Boxing Day.

Now they were getting ready to leave to see the old year out with so much glamour, the old year that had been so good to both of them. Louisa couldn't convince Martin to go for a tux, he would feel awkward in it, he declared. So he put on his smoking jacket. Louisa was wearing a strapless burgundy evening dress that had accompanied her Christmas present. Even though Martin had felt very bashful in giving Louisa her gift, she had to admit that he had bloody good taste. At least when it came to how he liked to see her.

Joan was spending the evening at their house, babysitting Peter.

"Don't worry about us! Peter and I will have a marvellous evening. And you two, just run off!"

Martin opened the door of his Lexus for Louisa, and then they drove down to the venue. The journey was done in silence. Martin seemed even more uncommunicative and a bit more tense than usual. Maybe even a bit nervous. Louisa had noticed this over the last couple of days, actually. Obviously, he dreaded going to this ghastly gathering, but was putting a brave face on to please her. That's how she explained it for herself, and she loved Martin even more knowing that he was going through this ordeal just for her.

The house was a beautiful Georgian mansion. When they arrived, they had to park at the foot of a long drive, leading to the house. The couple enjoyed the leisurely stroll through the magnificent park despite the hint of frost that was already in the air.

Arriving at the entrance hall, there was a small reception. Everyone was offered a glass of champagne, which Martin declined. Louisa noticed with a smile – not even for this special occasion he would loosen his strict personal rules. Louisa took her glass with pleasure, breathing in the classy atmosphere, enjoying feeling quite classy herself. Louisa noticed the disgusted look on Martin's face when he saw the tray with finger food. But at least he watched his tongue and kept silent. Louisa no longer actually expected him to like it. She was happy enough that he hadn't spoiled it and so far, he had behaved himself. Well, he hadn't uttered a word at all, since they left home, for that matter.

The concert itself was high class. A quite reputed chamber orchestra had performed some lighter Baroque pieces, just to set the mood for a joyful ending of the old year. It was just perfect hearing this brilliant music, surrounded by masterful pieces of art and high class stucco ceilings. Louisa was enjoying herself. She didn't pay too much attention that Martin was sitting on the edge of his chair, quite visibly uncomfortable. Before they had gone on their way, she had decided that it was not worth letting the worries about Martin ruining the evening for her. He had given this present to her, now he had to live with it. As long as he didn't act too embarrassing, she would not pay any attention to his discomfort. She had to admit that he hadn't misbehaved once, so far. He even applauded quite enthusiastically at the end of the performance, for his account.

The real acid test came at dinner. First of all, the dining time was far too late for Martin, but he put a brave face on it. However, what quite visibly puzzled him was the amount of empty calories shuffled along, the way that there were calories added just for the sake of the visual effects. He ate quite little, Louisa noticed, and glanced a couple of times over to her, seemingly disapproving her enjoying every course of the meal, with a glass of excellent wine going with it. Sometimes she really wondered if the inevitable glass of water wasn't to blame that Martin never seemed to enjoy himself. But she didn't worry too much.

For Martin, it was really astonishing to see how people could keep on prattling while gorging down incredible amounts of food of unknown provenance. He was just glad that other GPs would be responsible for sorting out the gastrointestinal problems of this greedy lot.

The dessert was served well before midnight, so that the whole crowd could finish their meal in time After being forced to yet another glass of champagne – what did these people think they were doing in being so lavish with potentially addictive drugs – the whole group found themselves in the now frosty park. Martin had helped Louisa into her coat, and while walking down the path, she had taken his arm. She smiled as she could feel his upright figure even straightening more with pride. He didn't have to say much, in fact he still hadn't uttered a word, to show his affection. His body was quite revealing when you just observed it carefully.

Because of the cold, Louisa cuddled close into Martin as soon as they had gathered on the terraced garden to watch the fireworks, which were displayed under the sound of 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' by George Frederic Handel. Louisa beamed up to Martin, whispering "Happy New Year." It was then that Martin broke his silence to respond in the same way.

When everybody was heading back to the house, obviously to fill themselves up with even more alcohol, Martin turned to Louisa, cleared his throat and asked: "Would you mind if we go for a walk? Just a bit?" As Martin had behaved himself the whole evening, she thought he had earned some quiet time so that his buzzing head could get some rest.

Martin put his arm around Louisa, and she snuggled into him, so that she wasn't too cold. When they had reached a lake, that was frozen over and glistening in the moonlight, Martin stopped without warning. She noticed that his breath was going a bit irregular, so she broke away from his embrace and faced him. She could feel both his hands on her shoulders, sort of straightening her out, as if he wanted to make sure that she was in exactly the right angle towards him. He cleared his throat. Then took both her hands in his.

"Louisa, I am very grateful to you for the way this - eeehm-no, the last year, actually, turned out. You made this a very special year for me. For the first time I found, yes, I found happiness. To come home every evening to you and Peter really makes a huge difference, I want to thank you, from all my heart, that you gave me another chance. That you hadn't given up on me. For your patience." By now Louisa had tears in her eyes. This was so unlike Martin, but so romantic. She even forgot the cold, as her heart warmed for him.

"You encouraged me to simply ask, if there was something on my mind. That's why I would now like to ask you one more thing. I won't be angry if you actually say no. I want to assure you before I go on."

"Louisa, my life is close to perfect now, but there is one thing that is bothering me. That really is a stain on my happiness."

"I don't know how you experienced these last few weeks. I personally believe that us living together has worked out surprisingly well. I can hardly recall any rows, at least no vicious ones, no bad feelings. Peter seems to have got used to me and not be bothered by my presence." Louisa smiled. That was a huge understatement. Peter seemed to be quite happy to have a strong male presence around.

"You seem to have got used to not living in the village centre. I hope you're not too bored by it." Louisa shook her head slowly, smiling with tears in her eyes. Martin coughed nervously and took a sharp breath.

"Given all that, Louisa, I hope we have settled quite comfortably. So I hope you don't find my next question too offending."

"I know you think I'm hopelessly old fashioned, and maybe I am. My moral convictions are sometimes irritating to you. However, it doesn't feel completely right to me to live together with you. There is something within me, that still doesn't feel completely integrated, and I tried to ignore it, but can't completely. For me there is one thing missing to feel completely like family."

"But it's not only that, Louisa, it's also because I want with all my heart devote my life to you and Peter forever. I want to have it legally sealed that we belong together." By this Martin took another deep breath. Then he went down on one knee, still holding both of Louisa's hand, and looking up to her. He cleared his throat.

"Louisa, would you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Louisa gulped. This was so different from his last, spontaneous, desperate proposal. However, this time she was more hesitant. Didn't they harm their relationship the last time just by wanting to get married?

"Martin, please get up. It's freezing."

"Louisa, I'd like to have an answer. Even if it's negative. I told you, I'll accept that."

Louisa took his face into her hands. "Please get up. Even when it's so romantic, I don't want you to suffer from arthritis tomorrow." Louisa teased him, but Martin didn't move a muscle.

"OK. Then let's talk about it with you kneeling in the frost. Part of me wants to marry you very much, Martin. And I agree wholeheartedly with your opinion about our life together. But why risk spoiling it? Remember, the last time we planned to get married, it was the beginning of our…"

"Louisa, I promise I will turn up this time. Honestly I will."

"Yes. I know. But after the last experience…don't you think that things are working fine for us now." She looked into his eyes that turned sad. She could see that it would make a difference to him – and his old fashioned views. She loved him for being so moral, so dependable. Why violate his feelings just because of the past?

Louisa looked around to take the wonderful winter night in. She had to distract her thoughts, even when it was difficult with Martin holding one of her hands again. Would anything change by marriage, for her account? In contrast to the last time, they were now already living together. Could she imagine that in the foreseeable future they would part again? No chance really, she loved to have him around. She could hardly imagine her life without him. Except for her surname, there would be no changes really.

"Louisa Ellingham?" She said out loud. "I certainly will have to get used to it. Louisa Ellingham? Peter Ellingham? If you repeat it a couple of times, it doesn't sound too badly, does it?" With that she looked Martin right in the eyes again.

"Martin. I can see how much it means to you. I won't lie to you. I am a bit alarmed, as things went wrong the last time just after we decided to tie the knot. But you're right; circumstances are so much different now. You know, I love you for being honest and decent. And now I am making you live in an arrangement that violates your sense of morals."

"You're right, I think in the 21st century your reservations seems old-fashioned to me. But … I thought about it. I don't really think anything would change for me. And I'm quite sure that I don't want anything to change anymore. I was a bit afraid that you would drive me nuts, to be honest. But as you said, living together turned out to be astonishingly pleasant."

"And now get up from the bloody frost, you silly man! I will marry you!"

Martin tightened his grip on her hands, brought them to his face and kissed them. Then he turned them around and gently kissed the palms of her hands. Louisa felt uncomfortable by now. "Please, Martin, get up." He did as he was told. He was deeply moved. They looked into each others eyes for a long time.

"Eeehm…I almost forgot." Martin was fumbling around in his different pockets. "Ah, here…Hope you…like it?" With this he took a diamond ring out of a box. "Eeeh…shall I..?" he pointed to her hand. By now he had found out that he was supposed to place the ring on her finger. "Yes, Martin, that's lovely." Shyly she held her hand towards him. He tried to put the ring onto her finger, which was difficult as he was shaking visibly. When the task was finally accomplished, she touched his hand lightly. He sighed "Oh, Louisa."

"Don't you want to kiss the bride-to-be?"

He bent down, still holding her hand, and gave her the gentlest of kisses. Then he withdrew and just looked into her eyes. Two words echoed in his head "Louisa ELLIGNHAM". He liked the sound of it.

Louisa started to feel the cold. She could see that Martin was far from realising anything. Even when it would be a shame to ruin this romantic moment, she definitely needed to go into the warmth, and felt the urge to celebrate with some champagne.

"Martin, as nice as this is – it is also bloody freezing."

Martin felt guilty. He had completely forgotten about the frost. He was still meditating about those two most wonderful words in the world.

"Of course…eehh…sorry." Then he started to stride back, but Louisa slowed him down by grabbing his hand. "Here, that's better, isn't it?"

So they walked back towards the hustle and bustle. In front of the main entrance, Louisa stopped. Martin looked at her questioningly, when she got on tiptoes to reach for him for a sound kiss. "Thanks for this evening. This year starts very promising."

To be continued…