Chapter 22

I am packing the car the next morning with everything needed for our stay at the hotel, ensuring our wedding clothes remain wrinkle free. One last time, I assure myself that we have every little thing necessary for a two month old to spend multiple days away from home. Satisfied, I close the boot.

Around forty-five minutes later we pull into the carpark of the estate hotel, Louisa notices Joan's' truck parked, we unload Phillip, some of the bags and our wedding attire and head for the lobby to check-in and find my Aunt. Joan meets us near the staircase and takes Phillip up to her room, while Louisa and I place most of our things in our room. Louisa and I take her dress bag and smaller bag to Joan's room and I return to the car and finish bringing in the rest of Phillip's bags. Louisa will stay with Joan and change into her wedding dress, while Joan takes care of Phillip. Joan meets me at the door to receive some of Phillip's gear; she holds the door blocking my entry so I can't see Louisa unzipping the bag with her dress. She informs me that the Parsons are here and will call us at the agreed time.

I go up to my room to change, pulling the zip down on my suit bag, and pull out Louisa's favorite suit and tie. I nervously shave once again and splash cold water onto my face. I take the towel to pat it dry and stop for a moment to look at my image in the mirror. I do not recognize the face staring at me. The face isn't stern, intimidating, or angry, even the frown had a less presence; what I see is a man changed by the love and trust of a beautiful woman. The months of therapy were sometimes very difficult, but worth everything I went through to get to this point in my life. At first, the therapy was to conquer the haemophobia, which it seems to have done. The emergency yesterday, I normally would have vomited several times before starting the lifesaving procedure. I can count on one hand the number of extremely bloody situations these past months and I had no issue with the blood. I have a passing thought, could I go back to surgery. I immediately answer it with a firm NO. My life is here with my family. The therapy was help to me with a deeper issue, my feeling of self-worth. Doctor Hayes' probing into my past helped my future, now I know I deserve what the most beautiful woman has offered me; unconditional love. My family has a new meaning for me; in the past, it was just my Aunts Joan and Ruth but now will include Louisa and Phillip. I will never forgive my parents especially after my father tried to steal the farm from Joan and my mother's declaration, they are no longer a burden I bear. Once again, I look in the mirror and I can say it, I see a happy man that will marry the woman he loves and I have a son that lightens my heart every moment I see him. I never saw Phillip in my future, who would have thought me a father; that scared me more than losing Louisa the first time. When Louisa showed up at my back door almost five months ago and I glimpsed her gestating body, all those fears left me, except that I might harm my child's emotional development, but once again Doctor Hayes to the rescue. I knew that she was carrying my child and I was overjoyed with instant pride. Doctor Hayes was very helpful with our talks of fatherhood; I will never be able to repay him. In a short time, I will be married, with a son and maybe in the future another child, but I will have Louisa as my wife. I finish by brushing my teeth trying to expel my nervous energy waiting on the time Chris will come and get me for the ceremony. I finish dressing, pin on my boutonniere again checking myself in the mirror. Remembering my poem to Louisa, my future wife, what will she think of it?

In Joan's room, Louisa feeds Phillip one last time before she dresses for the ceremony. Sitting with Phillip in her arms, she and Joan are enjoying a last minute conversation about Phillip and his growth over the last few days. Joan takes Phillip to change his nappy and dress him in the new outfit Louisa found the same day that they went shopping for her dress. Louisa goes into the bathroom to brush her teeth, and touches up her makeup and put on the special silky undergarments they also found on their shopping trip. Louisa would never have thought to buy these items, but Tracy assured her that Martin will appreciate them. She comes out in her dressing gown, and finishes the last touches with her hair. She pulls the sash of her dressing gown open and removes it; Louisa slowly puts her dress on. The look on Joan's face could not hold back her surprise. 'Marty will not know what hit him tonight'.

"That dress is beautiful, Louisa," Joan declares.

Louisa chose a knee-length pale cream pink silk sheath with mother-of-pearl buttons along the side of the dress up to the neck as her wedding dress, deciding against the usual white formal affair. She is a mother now, and thought this style suited her better. It took the three of them most of the day and many stores before she finally found the dress she had in mind. At one of the stores, Joan found a deep purple blouse to go with her gray skirt. Louisa found Phillip a white jumper with blue trim, and Louisa and Tracy found the undergarments in the same shade as her dress. When Louisa finishes buttoning up her dress, Joan hands Louisa a box with her wrist corsage of red and white rose buds. Martin will match with his boutonniere. As Louisa opens the box, she can see a small red envelope under the flowers.* Sensing a surprise from Martin, she slowly opens it. Once again, Martin has written a poem, this time to her.

I don't think you will

ever fully understand

how you've touched my life

and made me who I am.

I don't think you could ever know

just how truly special you are,

that even on the darkest nights

you are my brightest star.

I don't think you will ever fully comprehend

how you've made my dreams come true

or how you've opened my heart

to love and the wonders it can do.

You've allowed me to experience

something very hard to find:

unconditional love that exists

in my body, soul, and mind.

I don't think you could ever feel

all the love I have to give,

and I'm sure you'll never realize

you've been my will to live.

You are an amazing person,

and without you I don't know where I'd be.

Having you in my life

completes and fulfills every part of me.

Louisa sits stunned by Martin's words. Taking a tissue from the box on the table Louisa wipes the tears that are rolling down her cheeks. Finally, after several minutes, she composes herself to hand Joan the card. "Please make sure this is placed in my bag, I will want to read it every year on this special day." Louisa goes into the bath to fix her makeup. She sees her refection in the mirror, 'remembering the conversation with Martin and poetry; to think that little talk, the book she bought and discovering the lovely poem, had opened a new door into her Martin. He is able to speak to her and Phillip with his poems. Oh how I love him.'

At the assigned time, Chris and Tracy Parsons knock on the doors of the bride and groom; Chris and I head downstairs to wait in the chapel for the bride's party. As we wait, Chris starts with some idle chitchat thinking this will distract me from watching the chapel door.

"How are you doing, Mart?" Chris asks.

"Fine. Can't wait till she is my wife," I reply with a grin that lights up my eyes. Nervously, my heart skips a beat as I divulge, "I have waited patiently for this day."

A moment later the door opens, Tracy, Joan and Phillip enter; Joan and Phillip sit down in the chairs provided. Tracy nods her head to Chris so he can signal the organist to start playing. Louisa and I have chosen "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel for her walk to me before our vows. My eyes express my love of the image at the open door as Louisa slowly walks through and up to me in her graceful way. I notice how the dress wraps around her hips on her now slender body. When she finally reaches me, we take each other's hand; we turn and face the minister ready to start our life together. I take a sidelong glance towards Louisa, unbelieving Louisa is about to say her vows and become my wife. The minister smiles as he starts the service with a marriage prayer,

"Thank you for this beautiful day. You have fulfilled the desire of these hearts to be together in this life. We pray that your blessing will always rest upon their home; that joy, peace and contentment would dwell with them as they live together in unity, and that all who enter their home may experience the strength of their love. Father, help them to follow and serve you with an ever growing commitment because of their union. Guide them into greater love and sacrifice as they care for each other's needs. May they always be as keenly aware of your presence as they sense it today on their wedding day. In the name of our Lord."

He nods to Louisa; she turns to me, looking emotional and starts the vows we chose to say to each other.

"Martin Christopher Ellingham, will you take me as your wife, love me, honor and protect me as your equal in marriage for the rest of our lives on this earth?"

I look into the sea of emerald green eyes, my own slate grey-green wet with moisture as I restrain the tears that want to flow from her request of to become my wife, my only answer that I could give this woman I love so dearly is,

"Yes, I will."

Chris hands me Louisa's ring; I place her ring upon the left ring finger, not gracefully, as my hand is shaking. Now the minister nods towards me.

"Louisa Roberta Glasson, will you take this difficult man to be your husband, love me, honor me as your equal in marriage for the rest of our lives on this earth?"

Tears flow down her cheeks, she smiles and I know the world is mine as long as I keep her happy. Amazingly, she says,

"Yes, I will."

Tracy hands her my grandfather's ring; she takes my large hand into her two smaller ones, slides my ring slowly along the length of my ring finger. She continues to hold my hand; and I am mesmerized by her smile and the knowledge that now she is my wife. I cannot take my eyes off her. Sometime has past, she nods her head and slides her eyes towards the minister, but I only have eyes for her. Chris nudges me, disturbing my thoughts; I turn to look at him as the minister says again,

"You are now man and wife; you may kiss your bride."

Looking at Louisa once again, I retake her hands in mine, gently lean in, placing my lips on hers, I try to provide her with the kiss she deserves, but not the ardent kiss I plan on tonight; I could never do that in public, but more than a platonic kiss.

"Spring from Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi starts as we turn to our family and friends to walk out together as a husband and his wife. When we reach the back of the room I take Louisa in my arms,

"I love you, Mrs. Ellingham," I whisper in her ear, before placing another kiss on her luscious lips.

Auntie Joan carries Phillip over to us talking to him about his mummy and daddy making it official. I touch Phillip's cheek and kiss his forehead, and then I turn to my Aunt and wrap my arms around her. I look closely at her and can see tears welling up in them. I believe she is happy for me.

Chris and Tracy are hugging Louisa as they offer congratulation of our marriage. I turn to them as Chris lays his hand on my shoulder,

"Mart, well done. Tracy and I wish to congratulate you and Louisa on your marriage. You had me worried for a moment when you didn't acknowledge the minister's announcement."

"My thoughts were on my new wife and the happiness it brings to me. Yes Chris, I am happy."

I take Louisa's hand and mention we should gather Phillip and Joan and go to our dinner with our friends back in the main building. Our wedding party start towards the house when a young woman carrying a camera stops us.

"Excuse me, are you the Ellingham party?"

"Yes," Louisa announces.

"Mart, Louisa this is our wedding gift to you," Tracy announces.

"This is Liz, a friend of mine that has a photography studio in Truro. Martin, Louisa; you are a beautiful couple and Liz will take wonderful photos of your special day," Tracy continues to explain.

"The first photo I would like taken is our entire wedding party," says Martin. "Everyone standing right here; my whole family and my very best friends."

Louisa squeezes my hand, shaking her head agreeing with me, "Where do you want to start?" she asks Liz.

An hour or so later, Louisa and I walk in together to our reception meal in one of the small banquet room where Chris, Tracy and my Auntie Joan are enjoying refreshments. The server carries a tray over to the newlyweds with a glass of champagne for Louisa and in the same type of glass with sparkling water for me.

"I would like to make a toast to Martin, my best friend since medical school and the beautiful woman that asked about his interpersonal skills when they first met, I think she fell in love with his interpersonal skills in the bedroom."

Tracy nudges Chris in the ribs and Joan smirks with a knowing nod, and Martin blushes from the perception of Chris's comment. Louisa squeezes my hand tighter and kisses me on the cheek.

Clearing my throat, I take Louisa's hand to my lips and start my own toast to Louisa. Clearing my throat again,

"My Love for you is unconditional and enduring. To you I promise to always be reassuring.

My love for you is understanding and passionate. To you I promise to always be compassionate.

My love for you is patient and kind. To you I promise this always until the end of time. I promise to show you, my wife, that I love you in all that I do. I can promise these things because with all of my heart I love you." *

I finish my poem, toast and raise my glass to her, "Everyone raise your glass to my beautiful wife, Louisa."

Cheers erupt, stopping as they all drink to Louisa. I lean over and kiss my wife delicately on the lips. Thinking to myself how much I love her.

The door opens and several servers enter carrying our meal; the wedding party take their seats and enjoy the meal among good friends and family. There is laughter as Chris and I exchange stories of medical school, and with Joan adding her bits about our adolescent days. It is a relaxing evening for Louisa and myself. Hearing stories that I personally have forgotten of the better times with Auntie Joan and Uncle Phil and others that I never have heard about, the child Louisa. Late into our talk and laughter, unseen by our guests under the tablecloth, Louisa takes my hand and places it on her thigh; I can feel the silkiness of her dress. I slowly touch her and feel the small buttons on her dress, slowly unbutton a few buttons, as I feel the need to touch her soft skin. I look over to Louisa, she is deep into a conversation with Chris; nobody would know by looking at her of my touches to her leg. I try to continue interacting with Tracy and my aunt, but to my sudden amazement, I feel the top edge of a stocking, now my brain is on overload and I am unable to continue listening. I gently stoke her leg through the garment. I find my fingers slowly walking further up her thigh, following the silk garter strap, and find her skin. Louisa glances at me and smiles as she leans over and whispers in my ear, 'that she needs me'. My response is a lusty grunt. I start to express our wishes to retire when Phillip announces he wants his evening meal. Auntie Joan hands me the bottle she has in the baby bag. I put my romantic urges aside and I pick up Phillip from his carrier, I cuddle him into my arms and feed him. I don't miss the surprised expressions on the Parson's faces; I guess they assumed Louisa did everything for Phillip. Tracy gently nudges Auntie Joan, nodding her head at me. Joan smiles glancing towards her glass to go get a refill. Joan stands and walks over to the table with the pitcher of water and fills her glass. Tracy comes over and accepts a refill, quietly asking about Martin and Phillip.

"He is besotted with his son and has done the middle of the night feedings since he bought Louisa the breast pump. The day they came home from the hospital, he was the one burping and changing his diaper between feedings, or he just holds him. His conversations are so interesting you would never believe it; he asks Phillip for his opinion on different subjects and explains the world to him. I believe Martin finally has someone to talk to."

"Now I know why Louisa recovered so quickly. She is getting more sleep than I ever did during the early months with our children. Chris could learn a thing or two from him."

"She does look good doesn't she? Louisa told me when she was doing her exercises Martin would hide in his study," Joan says with a grin.

"Why would he hide?" Tracy whispered to Joan.

"Louisa said he was embarrassed of his naughty thoughts when he watched her in her stretchy outfits. He would stammer and look at the ceiling each time he saw her doing the DVD."

Joan and Tracy return to the table giggling just as I finish Phillip's feeding,

"Auntie Joan, Tracy; Phillip is ready for the night so Louisa and I will go to our room now," I announce.

Chris and Louisa are hugging goodnight as I place Phillip in his carrier. I hug Auntie Joan and Tracy, shaking hands with Chris leaning over and thanking him for all his help these years. He is the reason I came here and he made the introduction to Louisa at my interview, and now she is my wife. I pick up the carrier, Louisa grabs Phillip's baby bag, and we depart to the privacy of our room.

I unlock our suite door, Louisa and I enter with the desire to quickly settle Phillip for the night and start our wedding night. I quickly change his nappy as Louisa pulls his pajamas from his bag. She dresses him quickly and lays him in the portable cot.

We know exactly how much time we have before Phillip will wake to feed again and we do not want to waste one second. Pushing my suit jacket off my shoulders as she kisses my generous lips, tugging the knot of my tie down, I stop her,

"Louisa, wait just a moment. I want to carry you across the threshold and start our marriage the right way."

I take her hand pulling her towards the door and into the hallway. I pick her up, kiss her and carry her through the doorway like a proper husband on his honeymoon. Louisa giggles into my shoulder,

"You were serious weren't you?" She continues what she was doing by pulling off my tie and tossing it to the floor. Unbuttoning my shirt, she places little kisses across my chest. I carry my bride over to the bed, placing her on it as her fingers fiddle down my chest to the waistband of my trousers. With glinting eyes and a wicked grin, she reaches under the waistband of my garments, lightly touching me. A groan escapes through my lips and I know I need to get her dress off.

"Louisa, you are beautiful. You bring out… umm…you make me feel things I never knew I was capable of…."

I take Louisa's lower lip between mine, kissing her hard as I hug her tight. I reach down her slender side; I move to unbutton her dress. Sliding it away as I lay kisses on her belly, I note that it is firmer than just three weeks earlier. I tease her lips, her neck over to her shoulders as I glide the dress off her shoulders and down over her hips, and finally down her thighs, touching her seductively as I work my way to her panties and those mesmerizing stockings held up with that naughty silk strap. Noticing her silky lingerie matching in color to her dress perfectly, I am hypnotized for the moment with this sexy sight. I have never seen this sight before and I just can't stop touching her along her thighs. I adjust my position to see her better, feasting my eyes upon my wife for the first time. I look at her almost naked body with admiration and my desire is clear. 'My mind flashes to different scenes around the village and in our cottage as I catch glimpses of her, unknown to her as I watched her walk, the sway of her hips and that ponytail in perfect rhythm. I watched her interaction with others, the joy her smile gives to others but especially me. Those eyes speak volumes notably when she is upset with me. It is her love to my son that brings out the preeminent emotion in me, she loves him unconditionally and that alone is why I love her; I love her to the very soul of my being and will forever.'

All the while, I am preoccupied; Louisa runs her fingers through my hair, stopping long enough to pull me to her for another kiss. Occupying me with a deep passionate kiss, she unhooks my trousers and shoves them down along with my pants.

I work them down and off onto the floor, joining my shirt, tie and jacket.

Now with me completely naked, but for my socks, Louisa rolls me onto my back so she can nibble along my neck with her lips.

I grab hold of her bottom; slipping my hand underneath the fabric of her silky panties, I feel the need to remove them. Louisa grabs my hands, moving them to the sides of her panties and places my hands on the little bows on each side. She leans in whispering in my ear and says,

"Unwrap your present, pull on the bows."

I look more closely, pull on the bows, and watch the front of her panties fall forward onto my body. I smile and take her lips into mine and kiss her. Aware I am losing control, I reach for her bra, I unhook it and let it fall onto my chest. For the past two months, these breasts have begged me to kiss them. Gently rolling her onto her back, I tenderly take each to my lips, teasingly kissing them. Louisa releases a low groan; we become one as husband and wife for the first time that night.

As we lay side by side, I enquire if I hurt her in any way. She smiles at me again with a wicked grin,

"No Martin. I am fine," she says in a very soft voice. Looking at me with bewitching eyes she speaks more seductively, "Again?"

Hours later with only one pause for Louisa to nurse Phillip, I am a contended husband. The woman lying in my arms is my masterpiece to adore and love for the rest of my life. Not a hard job if I continue my mission to open up by communicating with her and making love to her often. A job I think I can perform. Sleep soon claims us with me looking forward to many years of marriage to this beautiful woman. I kiss Louisa again mumbling, "I love you Mrs. Ellingham."**

The End

*The poem/note in the box idea if from "Until There Was You" by Accidental Scribe.

**The love greeting using "Mr. or Mrs. Ellingham" to each other is a tribute to my editor, ke0212.

The poems: poem/will-you-ever-understand

This is the end of my story that I wanted to tell, as I love the romantic side in DM and L's story. As MC said in an interview, "everyone wanted to know the will they, then they did" and I decided on What If, DM had therapy; they actually talked when L returned. They could actually discover their love and have a future together. Now my version would have shortened the series considerably by a few series and we wouldn't be waiting for series 10 to film.

I have received a few PM's telling me I have DM all wrong, he would never be like this and there are probably more who are thinking it but never said; an example of leaving the used towel on the floor until morning so he could make love to L. As I stated in my introduction, DM has gone through therapy so the innermost Martin is coming out, breaking through the wall of his armor, he built around himself that protected him but also kept him away from the world. Many times, in the series, the little Marty comes out. The very first scene that hooked me to the series I saw of little Marty, was when he and L were walking along the path at the concert and he hesitatingly grabs her hand to hold it, that reminded me of a pre-teen boy experiencing his first date and that is where my inspiration for this story comes from. DM series 3 episode 5 "The Holly Bears a Prickle".

Lastly, this story would never have been published if it wasn't for my editor ke0212. She took the time from her busy schedule to review my work these last 9 months. I thank you.

Thank you for reading my story and leaving reviews. I really enjoyed them. To my followers, thank you for your reviews throughout my story. They inspired me to continue this story.