Chris and Helen Parsons were the first to arrive at the popular little seafood restaurant in Notting Hill. They were shown a table near the back and took their seats, thankful to at last be out of the freezing weather. Sleet had been falling for most of the afternoon making things unpleasant and unsafe underfoot on the slippery pavements but with less than three weeks to go until Christmas there were still a surprising number of people out and about, completely undeterred by the appalling weather.

Chris pulled the scarf from around his neck and hung it over the back of his chair and rubbed his hands together. "A nice bottle of red wine would be just the thing, yeah? Should we order so long?"

"We might as well. Martin won't have any...not sure about his fiancé though."

They pored over the wine list and, after chatting to the restaurant's wine expert, decided on Zonnebloem Pinotage, a South African wine.

When he'd left Helen turned to look at the massive fish tank against the wall near them - its subdued lighting cast a mellow glow. There was something so relaxing about watching fish undulating in-between the aquatic plants. Soft music added to the relaxed ambiance.

Chris settled into his chair, "Well...they should be here any minute. I wonder what she's like. Now that I think about it...I don't know what type of girl Martin would be attracted to these days. Blonde or brunette? Short or tall?"

"Not short - Martin's far too tall." Helen looked thoughtful. "I think she would have to be on the quiet side though to fit in with Martin's serious nature. I can't imagine him being able to handle someone too bubbly - it would drive him up the wall."

"She would also have to be quite accommodating to put up with Martin's quirks. I hope she's not the submissive type."

Helen shook her head. "I don't think so - Martin wouldn't like a wallflower either...I'm sure of it."

Chris thought about that. He remembered Martin's first romantic encounter at med school with one Edith Montgomery. Now there was a strong, pushy female if ever there was one. She'd been neither blonde nor dark but a redhead. Both he and Helen had taken an instant dislike to her and they couldn't understand Martin's fascination with her. Chris put it down to it being Martin's first proper sexual encounter and he'd been naive enough to think he was in love. He'd only been twenty or twenty one - if that, and she was older. She had pursued him, flattered him and used him. He'd attracted attention as something of a prodigy at med school and she latched onto him, sucked the knowledge out of him and gleaned all the insights he had - he just seemed to know everything without trying. Chris knew just how much effort Martin had put into his studies. Every waking moment he was immersed in his books or putting in extra time in the labs and she benefited from it. And the bonus for Edith was that his father was Christopher Ellingham and Christopher Ellingham was connected. She'd known how to keep her options open.

Thank God his relationship with Edith had gone nowhere. By the time they'd graduated she'd dropped Martin like a hot potato and she'd eventually left the UK to pursue her career. She'd got what she wanted and it was time to move on. For a long while afterwards Martin had withdrawn completely from getting involved with anyone and when he eventually did, it had been on his terms - emotionally detached and without the possibility of long term prospects. Chris had heard talk about Martin's liaisons from time to time, mostly with colleagues who were like-minded - strictly no strings attached. He knew Helen was aware of Martin's dalliances too but it was a topic of conversation she didn't encourage. It's Martin's private life Chris - so keep it private she always said.

Chris remembered thinking that Martin in his twenties and early thirties became even more of an enigma - totally aloof, almost cold and yet Chris knew the other side of him: the Martin who was as solid as a rock, who'd looked out for him, who would work punishing hours or would sleep in the hospital to be near a vulnerable patient who was under his care. It had saddened him to think that he was missing out on finding a partner with whom to share his life, to start a family - someone who would make the man smile or at least be happier. And now it seemed he had found someone.

He looked up as Helen said, "I still can't believe you didn't ask Martin what his fiancé's name was."

He shrugged, "We weren't on the phone very long - you know how Martin is. He hates talking on the phone."

Helen shook her head and smiled. "This is such a big step for him Chris. I actually can't believe that we are sitting in this restaurant waiting to be introduced to the woman Martin is going to marry. I had come to think of him as a confirmed bachelor."

Chris nodded. "Yeah...I must say I never saw this as part of Martin's future either. He's always shied away from commitment." He paused, "She must be quite special for him to have proposed. I've been trying to imagine what kind of..."

Helen cut in, "Well whatever she's like, Martin is our friend so we'll be nice to her."

Chris nodded, "Martin is a pretty sensitive bloke though so I hope she is nice or he'll pick up that we're treading water. Imagine if she's another Edith Montgomery."

Helen's face spoke volumes but then she said, "If he's happy then we should be happy for him, so it shouldn't be too difficult to show some enthusiasm...for his sake..alright?"

Chris fiddled with the cutlery in front of him, "I heard a rumour...must be about a year ago, that he had been involved with someone at St Mary's. Didn't believe it at first. Mart has always been discreet…but this time the rumours were flying..."

Helen frowned at her husband and he held up his hands as if to say whoa. "I'm not giving away any intimate secrets Helen. Apparently this was common knowledge at St Mary's and you know how talk spreads in the medical fraternity. I think her name was Lara or something like that. Who knows? Maybe it was more than just a fling."

Just then he saw Martin enter the restaurant and he raised his hand and waved him over. He was alone. That didn't bode well. He hoped things were alright as he watched his tall friend make his way between the tables. He was such a distinguished looking bugger - never a hair out of place and always looked as if he was in charge, as if he owned the room. He stood up as Martin approached.

"Mart...good to see you mate." They shook hands and Helen stepped closer and put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a peck on the cheek. It always made the colour rise in his cheeks no matter how many times she did it.

Martin took off his overcoat, brushing away drops of moisture as he folded it neatly and lay it over the back of his chair before sitting down. Chris and Helen looked at him expectantly. "Oh...umm...Kate has been held up at the hospital...last minute procedure. She'll be here shortly."

The waiter brought the wine and while they waited for him to uncork the bottle Helen quizzed Martin, "So your fiancé's name is Kate and it sounds like she is also in the medical profession?"

Martin nodded. "She's a senior theatre sister in the vascular research unit at St Mary's. A very good one too."

He waited until the waiter had poured the wine then placed his order of sparkling water with a slice of lemon.

Helen twirled the stem of her glass between her fingers. "So how long have you been seeing each other?"

Martin's eyes narrowed as he calculated, "About eight months or so but we only got engaged three weeks ago." He dipped his chin.

Chris raised his glass, "We're pleased for you mate. And there we were thinking you were a confirmed bachelor."

Martin looked at him with his open gaze. "Yes…"

Helen listened as the men began to talk about medical matters and she took the opportunity to scrutinise Martin. He looked as dapper as ever in a light grey suit with pale blue shirt and dark blue, striped tie. Outwardly he looked the same as always: stern, with a little frown on his brow, but she detected another layer to him that she couldn't quite define. She was trying to work it out when she saw Martin's demeanour change. He sat straighter and his eyes went round and soft as his gaze focussed on the door of the restaurant. She saw a woman entering and the manager pointing to where they sat. Was this Martin's fiancé? She was absolutely beautiful. A swift glance at Chris showed that he was just as bowled over as she was. Martin stood up and the woman walked up to him, her eyes only on him and as she reached him she put her hand on his chest and kissed his cheek before she turned her attention to Chris and Helen, greeting them with a warm smile.

Introductions were made and they all sat down. Helen looked at Martin and saw the adoration on his face as he gazed at Kate. What she saw convinced her that this was no ordinary relationship. She had seen the same look of pleasure in Kate's eyes when she had spotted Martin at the table. They were truly in love.

"Can I offer you some of this red wine Kate," Chris held up the bottle, "It's South African and really good."

"I'd love some, thank you."

Once they'd settled and ordered their meals, Helen turned to Kate, "When Chris told me that Martin was getting married I must admit I was so surprised...then..."

"Oh she was more than surprised," quipped Chris, "it's the first time I have seen Helen speechless since we got married twelve years ago."

Helen gave him a mock frown. "Well yes I was speechless actually because the last time I looked, Martin was showing signs of being a confirmed bachelor. And I couldn't be happier that he's not!" She looked at Martin. "I am dying to know how you two met...come on...let's have all the details please Martin."

Martin dipped his chin and looked helplessly at Kate and she touched his arm lightly and smiled. "Well, we met about eight months ago at St Mary's. I'd joined the vascular surgical team and I was scheduled for my first procedure with Martin - I was so excited and was heading for the scrub room and literally collided with him as he was coming out."

Chris laughed, "I can only imagine what he said."

"Yes…" Kate laughed. "I had my first taste of those fierce eyes and biting tongue. Very intriguing...but it was my second meeting with Martin that intrigued me even more."

She grinned mischievously at Martin and the Parsons both noticed the slight blush as he dipped his chin even further.

"I went to his rooms to take a patient file he'd forgotten behind after the procedure so that he could complete the report. His rooms were deserted so I went into his consulting room thinking I'd put it on his desk with a note and the next thing he frightened the daylights out of me when he suddenly appeared in the doorway of the adjoining bathroom - stark naked but for a towel around his waist."

Helen and Chris burst out laughing. "Oh dear Kate, that must have been awkward."

"It was - I don't know who blushed more, me or him. I couldn't help but see the funny side of it though but Martin wasn't having any of it. He told me to get out and I thought well that's the end of my surgical career with the top vascular surgeon in Britain before it's even begun...and I'd been looking forward to it very much."

Kate's eyes sparkled with mirth as she looked at Martin. His head was still lowered and she put her hand on his arm and rubbed it gently. "But after that we seemed to get on just fine in the operating theatre, didn't we?"

"Yes…" he said with his eyes on hers.

"Come on Mart...now it's your turn to tell us what your first impressions were."

Martin's eyes grew round but then he looked at Kate and spoke as if he was speaking just to her. "The first time I saw Kate in the scrub room...after we'd bumped into one another...she smiled...and it was as if it lit up the whole room. I was completely thrown. She did the same when we...err...met in my rooms later that morning. I had never seen anyone so beautiful…"

Kate's eyes melted and she had to restrain herself from leaning over and kissing his lips. She squeezed his arm instead. "If only I'd known you thought that way Martin, it would have saved us a lot of trouble." She looked at the Parsons and grinned, "We had a bit of a rocky personal relationship after that you see - Martin's manner was a little difficult for me to grasp and we had a few...umm...squabbles."

Chris gave a snort. "Nothing's changed since I met him at medical school. He's a grumpy bugger." But his comment was softened by a fond smile.

Kate looked from Chris to Martin. "You've known each other a long time."

Chris took a sip of wine. "Yes…I first met the stripling at one of the orientation classes at medical school. I remember thinking this boy must be visiting for the day - he should still be at school. He was so young. Most of us were at least two to three years older. But out of all of us, he was the most serious and grown up. Of course when everyone knew he was Christopher Ellingham's son, some immediately thought he was being favoured - he soon saw them off."

Martin looked down into his glass and turned it in a circle on the highly polished wood of the table. Kate could see that he wasn't comfortable with the spotlight on him and she put her hand out and touched his thigh lightly.

Chris went on. "We were put into groups for the practicals - anatomy classes and the like. The two of us were assigned to the same group from the start and Mart was stuck with me right through - unlucky for him, very lucky for me. I for one was grateful. It soon became apparent to the whole class - lecturers included, that Mart knew more than anyone - kept the lecturers on their toes." He chuckled and shook his head as he reminisced. "He was streets ahead of all of us on every level. When we first began our dissection sessions it was as if he had done it before - completely at home, unlike some of the group. I will never forget Mart's look of utter disgust when one of the chaps threw up on the first day - it was the first time I heard him call someone an imbecile."

Martin gave a little cough. "Yes well...you would think that a person who wanted to be a doctor would have a stronger stomach, wouldn't you?" and frowned.

Chris told some very funny stories about their student days. Martin for the most part had kept very much to himself while Chris had been a typical student who's desire to party often played havoc with his studies.

Chris shook his head as he looked at his friend across the table. "I can categorically say that if it wasn't for Mart knocking some sense into me...covering for me...and yes, brow beating me, I would never have got through med school." Kate could see the warm look in Chris's eyes as he smiled at Martin who mumbled, "Well I don't know about that...you had the brains and the ability...your propensity for spending evenings at the pub was the main problem."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me." He cocked his head at Kate, "The times I ended up at Mart's flat not knowing how I got there and waking up to find him glaring down at me as if he was my father…" he chuckled. "But he'd make me breakfast and shove me in the shower, sometimes clothes and all and hound me until I was presentable enough to be seen in public…then drag me off to classes kicking and screaming." He smiled at Martin. "I'm still eternally grateful mate."

Martin grunted.

Kate was so proud of him and the story Chris told just cemented her belief that Martin was a good person to his core. That he was fond of the Parsons was beyond doubt.

Their meals arrived and the conversation was light as they ate. Kate felt completely at home with the Parsons and from time to time she would look at Martin and smile and she would see the little lines appear around his eyes which meant that he was smiling too.

As usual Martin listened more than he talked. His eyes constantly strayed to Kate. He loved how animated her face became when she talked about her family home in Cornwall and her parents and about him. No-one had ever spoken with such pride and warmth when talking about him and he dipped his chin as a faint blush crept up from under his collar as Kate regaled the Parsons about how he'd proposed to her.

Helen looked at Martin, "I knew there was a romantic streak lurking beneath that serious exterior Martin."

Chris finished the last of his wine and put the glass down. "So when's the big day?"

Kate put her hand on Martin's arm and looked up at him before she said, "The first Saturday in February - down in Cornwall. You'll come won't you? We can arrange accommodation for you - it won't make sense for you to travel back after the reception."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."

After their plates had been cleared and the waiter had taken their order for coffee, Kate and Helen went to the Ladies restroom together and as they stood at the basins Helen said, "I am so very happy for you and Martin. I had given up all hope that he would ever fall in love and just be...happy. How ever did you manage it...to get through to him?"

Kate smiled and her eyes were soft. "I don't know...all I know is that there was something about him that intrigued me from the moment I laid eyes on him. His manner was so abrasive but I sensed a vulnerability - as if he was purposefully pushing people away."

Helen nodded, "Yes, it took me quite a while to get used to Martin's way too. But he is a real softy deep down. He feels things deeply but he has learned to hide it very well."

"I know...but he is learning to open up...with me."

Helen plumped her short curly brown hair into place and straightened her blouse. "Martin is a wonderful man...he is godfather to our eldest boy Dan and has taken the role very seriously. Never forgets an occasion - has started a fund for him - for whatever he wants to do when he leaves school. It's typical of Martin - when he does something, he does it properly."

Kate looked surprised. Godfather!

"He was Chris's best man at our wedding too. At times I could tell that he was completely out of his depth but he planned everything with absolute precision. The only thing he didn't participate in was the bachelor party - but he was there and he looked after Chris who was very much the worse for wear afterwards." She shook her head as she remembered. "But he made sure that Chris was alright and nursed him through the worst hangover of his life." They laughed at the picture they must have made - of the stern, disapproving Martin and the gregarious, inebriated Chris.

"I didn't know he was anyone's godfather Helen...Martin doesn't really talk about things unless a specific point is raised or you ask him directly."

"Yes...that's how we know Martin too. But it's not done deliberately. It just doesn't occur to him. Martin learned the hard way that talking always attracted unwanted attention." She turned from the mirror and looked at Kate. "Have you met Martin's father?"

Kate shook her head.

"On first meeting him you would think he is the most charming man. But we had the misfortune to see how he was with Martin in private. I have never heard a father speak to a child like that. Despicable man. Belittled and harrassed Martin - mocked his achievements and ridiculed him, saying he would never amount to much. And all in that posh, smiling voice. Chris hated him...called him a pompous arse and told him to leave Martin alone. Well you can imagine - he got a blasting from Ellingham senior - said he would make sure that Chris never saw the inside of an operating theatre and he did just that…until Martin found out. Martin went all the way up to the top, fighting his father's interference and he succeeded. But in the end Chris didn't want to go into surgery - it wasn't for him. But he never forgot Martin's tenacity in righting the injustice of the whole thing. He is as straight as an arrow that man."

Kate was shocked at Christopher Ellingham's behaviour - but not at Martin's - that didn't surprise her at all. She knew Martin's parents were abysmal but his father sounded as bad, if not worse than his mother. Poor Martin couldn't count on the support of either of them and he had no siblings to turn to. Her heart just melted with love for him. "You know Martin's father passed away recently don't you?"

"No I didn't...but good riddance I say."

"Martin's mother didn't even tell him. Had the funeral and everything then pitched up three weeks later demanding that Martin deal with the mess of his father's estate."

"Not surprised at all...she's a real witch."

Kate paused then said, "Yes...I am always amazed at how Martin turned out despite his terrible experiences. He is so loving and gentle and as solid as a rock."

Helen saw her expression and knew that she understood Martin - that she felt a deep empathy with him and was strong enough for him. She smiled. "I am so glad he has met you Kate. He has needed someone strong in his life - strong and loving - and I can see you love him very much."

"Yes...I do. There are times he still feels...insecure. But he's trying. It breaks my heart to see just how badly damaged he is...but he is learning to trust." She combed her fingers through her long hair and tucked a strand behind her ear. "And despite everything he is such a caring person. Once when I assisted and he lost a patient on the table I saw how it affected him...no-one can feel that way if they are hardened to life's tragedies. He was devastated."

"That's how we know him too."

They at last made their way back to the table where Chris and Martin were deep in conversation over their coffee cups. Before they knew it, it was already almost 10 pm and they all reluctantly got up to leave. Helen and Kate hugged before parting ways and they promised to be in touch about the wedding arrangements.

In the taxi ride home Kate sat close to Martin and tucked her arm through his. The wine made her feel mellow and she cuddled close and he didn't seem to mind. And when they finally arrived home, he opened the front door and switched on the lamps in the sitting room. Kate shrugged out of her coat and threw it over the back of a chair then went to where he stood. "I've wanted to do this all evening." She wound her arms around his neck and she felt his arms go around her. Her fingers stroked the hair on the back of his head. "I love you so much my darling man."

His eyes were soft as they gazed into hers. "Mmm...love you too," he murmured and dipped his head until their lips met in a gentle kiss.

"I like the Parsons. They are lovely people Martin. Are you going to ask Chris to be your best man?

Martin frowned. "Best man? Umm...do I have to…"

"Yes Martin...it's a traditional wedding remember?"

He grunted and bent his head again. This time his kiss was firmer, coaxing - teasing her lips between his then deepening until the passion ignited between them. "Upstairs mister," Kate murmured breathlessly against his mouth.

"Mmm…" He took her hand and they made their way up pausing at the top of the stairs to kiss again.

"Do I have to have a best…"

"Yes Martin...Chris would be so honoured...he was honoured when you were his best man."

Martin looked surprised.

"Helen told me…"

"Ahh…" He trailed his mouth down the side of her neck and she hummed with pleasure.

Kate moulded herself to the length of his body. "I don't want to think about best men right now."

His hand slid around from the small of her back and up to cup her breast. "Neither do I." His voice was thick with desire as he backed her slowly into their bedroom and best men were totally forgotten as they lost themselves in one another.

ooooOOOOoooo

As usual I must thank everyone for their reviews and PMs - I look forward to them and they are always appreciated.

As you will have noticed, I couldn't help plugging South African wines in this chapter - if you haven't tried any and they are available where you live, you should give them a try. They're top notch.