With fish in hand, Martin walked back toward the surgery. His lunch hour had gone quickly today; James had a sports day at school, and for once, Martin had been looking forward to it. As he walked, he thought back to the horrid sports day when Louisa had been injured, grimacing as the events flooded back into his head. His life could have turned out so differently had the effect of sports day turned out differently. He was ever so thankful he had been able to stop Louisa's plane, had been able to operate, and that eventually, even though they had their bumps along the way, that he and Louisa had been able to reconcile. He still was disgusted with his attitude and behavior during that time, knowing it led to the events with Louisa's accident, but as horrid as that had all been, it had been the wakeup call they had needed. Sometimes, a major event leads to change. He knew that. He had behaved so badly then, some of it, though, he had to attribute to the lingering emotions from the trauma of his aunt's death. His therapist had made him see that, not that it was an excuse, but it did make sense now. As Martin had worked through it, he realized that he had closed off his feelings about Joan's death for too long, that he'd allowed the mess of his life to take over during that time. It had been easier. He had a new baby, Louisa back in his life, and he was, at the time, still planning to move to London. Only after things started to settle, after he and Louisa got married, did those feelings of loneliness from losing Joan start to surface in the form of his insomnia and the return of his hemophobia. Louisa had often told him that she believed Martin was so unhappy back then because he'd married her and was saddled with a baby; it was quite the contrary. Then, to add to the mess during that rocky time, his awful mother had shown up, and that had not made things easier. If anything, it almost brought memories back to him that he'd kept at bay. Seeing her with his son, well, he couldn't allow her to ruin him too. It had been easier, so he thought then, to not discuss anything with Louisa, to tune it all out. In the end, all of that led him to a breaking point. Looking back now, he was quite certain the only reason he had not had a complete breakdown was due to Louisa and James being in his life. He'd felt like his heart had been cut out when they had gone to Spain after her surgery, but thankfully, she'd given him one last chance.
He was ever so grateful he had not ruined that last chance, and today, as he walked back home, he thought about what a difference a few years made. Here he was, now looking forward to seeing James at sports day. His son was turning into a decent little athlete, nothing at all that came from Martin. No, Martin had told Louisa any athletic ability was her doing; she was always involved in physical fitness at school, and maybe, just maybe, James would fit in better than Martin ever had in that area. Well, of course he would; James was living a much better life than Martin had. He was loved, and he was a well-adjusted little boy. He adored his sisters. Martin always felt lonely, and he was very grateful that he and Louisa had decided to have another child. The surprise of twins had been an added bonus.
Before sports day, though, Martin and Louisa had plans. Martin had closed the surgery for the day after working much later than he had wanted to the last two evenings. He was trying more and more to put his family first; that did not mean he sacrificed his job. No, he had a duty of care and took that to heart, but he was trying to juggle things as best he could. Knowing Friday was full of things, fun things as Louisa had said, which had Martin rolling his eyes, he had stayed late Wednesday and Thursday to see patients. Those who needed to see him today could wait until Saturday surgery hours or go to Waybridge. Today, he was spending the day with his family because he had a duty of care to them as well.
"Louisa, I'm back. Are you and the girls ready?" Martin called upstairs to her. He looked over to Morwenna, who was busy at her desk, relabeling some files.
"She's not been down since I've been here, Doc," Morwenna said with a grimace. "Hope everything's alright."
"Yes, fine," he waved and sighed. "The girls still have us all struggling for a routine, but if I may point out, the men in this family are doing their routines just fine. James has not been late for school."
Morwenna looked up at him, the surprise on her face, "I'm guessing you haven't told Louisa that, hmm? Something tells me she wouldn't want to hear about how she's the only one responsible for taking care of the girls."
"I help with the girls!" Martin exclaimed. He pointed to his office, "Each morning you come to work, I have one of them in there with me as I go through paperwork. I'm a very involved father."
"Right you are," Morwenna said with a small nod and a smile. "It's quite sweet seeing you be all loving with your girls, a regular dad. Makes me excited about that prospect with Al, maybe someday."
Martin's expression changed; he did not know how to respond now, not after Morwenna's miscarriage. He cared for her like a daughter if that was possible, really. She was a grown woman, but he had felt quite proud giving her away at her wedding. He knew she had no one here, no other family, and he had seen her mature a great deal in the years she had been working for him. He paused and then gestured with his hand.
"Ahh, yes, about that, do you need anything? Care, I mean, I could refer you to someone if it's too awkward here, and I promise it would not be Dr. Montgomery," he explained.
Morwenna glanced up again, a bit surprised, but she did give him a small smile, "Thanks, Doc. I'm doing okay, and yes, I already have a doc for that, someone who is pleasant and nothing like Dr. Montgomery. I asked around."
"Sorry, Martin," Louisa said as she came down the stairs with both girls. Martin hurried to the stairs to collect one of the girls, and at quick glance, he saw he had Eliza. He took her and the bag Louisa had on her arm. He nodded at Louisa.
"Yes, well, are you set, then?" Martin asked her.
"I believe so," she said in a hurried tone. "I have a cooler bag in the kitchen with their bottles in it. I don't know how long we shall be gone, I mean, if we are coming back here before sports day, but I packed it for the day."
"Yes, fine," Martin added, as he stepped away with the baby in hand to collect the cooler bag. Louisa walked toward Morwenna as Martin left the room.
"Well, hopefully, you can enjoy some peace and quiet here this morning," she smiled. She leaned in, "There are chocolate digestives in the kitchen; you know where."
Morwenna grinned, "Thanks! I'll enjoy that with my tea here later." Martin returned, and he looked between the women wondering what they were discussing. He met Louisa's gaze, "You ready then?"
"Oh, any big plans for the day or are you just getting the girls all new diapers and clothes because they keep growing?"
"Well," Louisa nodded her head side to side, "growing is part of the outing, yes. Our growing family cannot fit into my car. It's high time I say goodbye, even though I love that car. It was so perfect."
"It was never perfect," Martin grunted. "It was too small when it was just the three of us. I never saw what you liked about that car."
"I love Louisa's car!" Morwenna exclaimed. "I wish I had a car, and a small one like that," she flashed a bright smile, "that would be fun to drive."
Louisa eyes widened at Morwenna, and she leaned toward her, Sadie in her arms, "Why haven't I thought of it before now? Morwenna if you are interested in a car, I'm sure we could make you a good price on this one, right Martin?" Louisa looked to Martin, and she could tell he was about to protest. For good measure, she added, "You know, Martin, as soon as the car does sell, the sooner we can put it behind us and purchase a new one."
"Err, right, ahh, yes," he nodded. "We are looking at new cars today, but certainly, Morwenna, if you are interested-"
"Really, Doc?" Morwenna's eyes lit up. "I've never had my own car. I'll speak to Al and see if we can afford it. I mean, we've talked about getting a car, but hers, Louisa's car is just quite lovely. We do want a car, especially if we are going to start a family. I'm feeling so grown up," she grinned broadly.
Louisa's eyes met Martin's, and he gave her a very slight nod as he sighed. Louisa turned to Morwenna, "You speak to Al. If you want the car, we will make it work. You are both like family, and I would just enjoy knowing the car is going to someone else who will love it as I have. Still can't believe I have to get something big like Martin's car," she sighed and shook her head.
"The alternative," Martin said, collecting both girls in his hands, as he pulled Sadie into his arms to join Eliza. Both of the women looked to him as he was still speaking, He started again, "The alternative to the bigger car, Louisa, would be a much smaller family. Now," he nodded to her, the girls in each arm, "you decide."
Louisa clasped her hands together and pinched her lips into a tight smile. She looked to Martin, "Yes, obviously, there is no decision at all. I'll be happy to get a larger car."
"Well, you four have a lovely morning car shopping," Morwenna proclaimed as she stood. "I'll give Al a call here and tell him about this idea. I think it's brilliant, and I do appreciate it, really."
"Anything, Morwenna," Louisa reached over and squeezed her arm. She looked to Martin. "Ready?"
"Yes, have been," he said with a firm nod. "Morwenna," he nodded, and he followed Louisa outside.
Martin and Louisa were putting the girls into their seats, and Martin looked over to Louisa, "You know, with as much as I dislike your car, I believe I would have paid Morwenna to take it."
"Oh, Martin!" Louisa sighed. "It's a lovely car! You've never liked it."
"Yes, you're right," he nodded. "I never did. Had you listened to my suggestion and bought the car that I liked, we wouldn't be shopping for one now. All three children, along with me, would fit."
"Hmm, yes, well, I suppose it is a good thing you let me have my way both then and well," she shrugged, "often, actually. Seems like many things in our life have worked out because I've hmm, had my way in several instances. I believe a very blonde headed little boy," she gestured down the hill toward the school, "looks quite like you, wouldn't even be a twinkle in his daddy's eye had I not gotten my way that first night after you proposed, hmm? As I recall, you told me you were going to go home for the night after our engagement, but seems I was quite persuasive then too, hmm?" She grinned at him. "Glad you listen to me sometimes, Martin. Let's go and find a new car for our lovely family."