Martin couldn't take his eyes off Louisa, not even as he tried to unsuccessfully close his office door from behind. He finally spun around, James still in his arms, to close the door, to only find a completely full waiting room now standing and staring at him. He scowled at them all and closed the door, turning back to his lovely wife.
"Are you alright?" Martin asked her immediately, taking her in from head to toe, examining her with his eyes. He pulled back James to look at him in a similar fashion.
"Yes, yes, oh, Martin," Louisa sighed, giving him her sad look, a look of total love, as she moved toward him to embrace him. He felt her arms go around his middle, and as he shifted James to accept her hug, he felt their growing child changing the position in which he clung to Louisa. He shifted again, finally putting his arms around her. As they embraced, Louisa leaned in further and leaned up to kiss Martin on his cheek.
"Here you are asking if I'm alright, but I'm the one who should be asking you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you, about Joan," Louisa said quietly, the family sharing a moment in his office. She pulled back slightly to look into his eyes. "It's high time I consider all aspects of our family, and the one closest to both of us is now gone, Martin. I'm so very, very sorry. She was like family to me, I mean," she gestured with her hand, "before she was family. Joan was always so kind to me as I grew up here, and I'm sure she never banked on the idea I would marry her handsome nephew, but it just fits, you know?"
"What fits?" Martin asked.
"No," she sighed, shaking her head at him. She gave him a soft smile, "Never mind, my love. I'm just so very sorry and wish I could do more to comfort you right now. I was there in the flat when you called to tell me about Joan's first stroke, and I hated that I could not be there for you. As the day went on, or rather the night, I hated being so far away just to be able to pull you in like this." Louisa wrapped her arms around him again, and she pulled him tightly toward her. She felt him relax, and the two stayed like that for several moments before Martin dug his fist into her back, pulling her even closer. She patted his back, and he let out a long, sad sigh.
"She's really gone," he said quietly, slightly shaking his head. "I still can't believe it. I almost expected her to come out of her farmhouse when I arrived there last evening. It's so still there now, no life."
Louisa just nodded, and the two were quiet several more moments before Martin pulled back again and fixed his attention on James. Louisa could see the redness in his eyes as he tried to will it away while paying attention to his son.
"Well, then, James," Martin said in an almost businesslike fashion. "I expect you had your first train ride and left London for the first time. Five months old and a traveler already. I hope you behaved for your mother."
"He was an angel," Louisa patted James' back. She looked to Martin to see if he wanted to pass James back to her, but she saw that he was still fixated on him and clinging tightly to him. She stepped back out of Martin's grasp and perched on the side of his desk, letting out her breath.
"Whew, bit tired myself. Long day of traveling already. James and I were up mighty early, and I got to bed late after packing our things. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I wasn't sure how you would react, and to be honest, while I knew I wanted to be here for you, I was and still am very nervous about being back in Portwenn. I can't take the gossip."
Martin pursed his lips as he listened, "Yes," he cleared his throat and nodded. "I'm still trying to adjust to the idea that you are here, back in Portwenn. You certainly arrived with a surgery full of patients."
"Yes," she sighed and shook her head. "Never mind that. It's all about Joan, about whatever you need. Now, I spoke to Ruth. I did tell her of my travel plans, but I begged her not to tell you. She offered for me to ride down here with her at the end of the week. I know she wanted to get here sooner, but she has something with work that cannot be rescheduled for Thursday. I thought about it, but I wanted to be here for you sooner. So," she nodded. "I'm here."
"Ahh, thank you," he said curtly, and then he shook his head. He locked eyes with her, "I am glad you are here, Louisa. It does mean much that you came."
"Well, I love you, Martin," she said, reaching out to grasp his hand in hers. He still had a firm grip on James, but he gave her a free hand. The two stood there for a moment, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Doc, so sorry to interrupt," Pauline said, as she just barely opened the door and stuck her head in. She caught them in the act of standing there, holding hands with Martin still clutching James. Martin dropped Louisa's hand as he turned to face Pauline.
"Still can't get over the shock myself," she nodded to the small family. "Never saw that coming. Village won't believe it, not until they all see it with their own eyes. Miss Glasson, I mean," she paused and her eyes widened as she tilted her head-"You really married each other?"
"Yes, Pauline," Louisa cut in quickly with a solid answer and nod. She gave Martin a smile as his eyes darted. "Martin and I are married. This is James," she nodded to the baby, "James Henry," and he's five months old. I believe you commented on my weight earlier-"
"Sorry about that," Pauline muttered.
"No," Louisa raised her hand in defense, "you were right. We are expecting another baby in June, middle of June or so. The two won't be quite a year apart."
"Irish twins!" Pauline's eyes lit up, and she gave Martin a huge smile. "Oh, Doc, you old bugger. You really got all of us, sneaking off. Is that why? You've been hiding Miss Glasson, I mean," she blushed, "Mrs. Ellingham, yes?"
"I haven't been hiding her!" Martin exclaimed. Louisa patted his arm and looked to Pauline again.
"Pauline, I hope you can understand that some of our life is private. We have a flat in London where James and I have been when Martin isn't with us, and I've been working there, well," she rolled her eyes, "not yet, but after the holidays, I'll be back to work. I'll work until the summer, have this baby, and we will see about next term."
"Pauline, what do you need?" Martin asked. "Neither of us are going to continue with this conversation. What works for my family is none of the villager's business!"
"Right, Doc, sorry," she paused and gave a small smile. "Just a huge shock. Our very own doc, all grown up and married, not to mention a proud papa, what a stud you are," she winked with a giggle.
"I've been grown up, Pauline!" Martin exclaimed.
"Right, Doc, ahh, well, you have a room full of patients. All are getting antsy, and I've fed them all the food you had here at the house. Do you want me to reschedule them?"
"Oh, not necessary," Louisa shook her head, glancing to Martin. "I am a bit tired, and James needs his nap. I didn't arrive to mess up your patients. I looked at later trains, but they were much later. This was the least disruptive to James."
"Yes, yes, of course," he nodded, pursing his lips again. "Ahh, if you would like to lie down-"
"I believe I still know the way, yes," she said with a smile to him as she stood again and patted his arm. She gestured for him to hand over James, and he did, raising his hand as he thought about the situation.
"Ahh, James?" Martin asked.
"Oh, that pram of his has some of his nappies and such. The rest of our bags are outside including a travel basket I brought. I went ahead and ordered a cot to be shipped here. It should be arriving by tomorrow. That was the soonest it could be here. Is that alright?"
Martin's eyes widened, and Pauline just smiled as she watched the two discuss very ordinary topics, ordinary for a couple. He nodded, "Yes, of course. I'm very surprised at the amount you accomplished in so little time. You must be exhausted."
"Yes, a bit," she chuckled and shrugged at Pauline. "Taking care of an infant while also preggers-not advisable."
"Ahh, so a surprise, I see," Pauline chuckled. Martin whirled toward her to say something about her comment, but Louisa patted his arm.
"Martin, if you could just help get us upstairs with our things, I'll get James to nap and do the same myself. Maybe then, after you finish at the surgery, and I've had a rest, we can sit down and figure out where to go from here with the funeral, yes?"
"Yes," Martin said swiftly with a quick nod. He glanced at his wife, now holding James, and he nodded again. "Yes, that would be good. It will be good to have you here."