Chapter 13

She sped past the corner with just a hope that nothing was hiding around the other side. Mud wiped across Mr. Kellow's ever-polished front wall. But she had not a care in the world. She just could not get there quick enough. The anticipation was just engulfing her. Martin answered the door in of course, a pristine suit and tie, looking as though he had completely not just become a father. She pushed past him and there they were. There he was- right infront of her eyes. She dare not believe it. Louisa and the little one swayed ever so slightly in the rocking chair in the lounge and she gave Joan the biggest, proudest smile as she neared. Joan said not a word. She had no words. Martin and Louisa had wanted to call her early with their news but not as early as the little man decided to make his appearance. They wanted her to spend some time with him before the entire village descended on Louisa's teeny cottage.

'Would you like to say Hello?' Louisa whispered as she carefully lifted the baby for Joan to get her first glimpse of him. Joan could only put her hands to her mouth as she gently tip-toed towards them.

'Oh my goodness' was all she could muster.

And nothing would take the smile from Louisa's face. 'A 5lb 5oz little boy' she continued to whisper as she handed him to her.

'Oh my word. 5lb 5oz of absolute gorgeousness' She could feel Martin standing awkwardly in the kitchen. 'Don't be so rude, Martin, put that kettle on. I need something to settle my nerves' said Joan without even taking her eyes off the new addition. He was swaddled and wore a little white suit with a matching hat. ' Such a beautiful boy. Our boy! He's beautiful, Louisa just like Mum'

'Oh I'm not sure about that' she blushed 'but it's nice to finally have him here. He's a tiny one, but he's safe and well and has already had two feeds!' They both cooed.

'And how are you Louisa? How are you feeling?' Concerns smothered Joan's face.

'I'm just fine. Aching in various areas' she laughed 'but I'm fine. More than fine. I'll be happy for the rest of my life'.

And in good time, with village gossip never too far away from the locals, they proceeded to make themselves at home. Bert was of course, the first one through the door followed by what seemed like the rest of the entire population of Portwenn.

'For god's sake! Have you people never encountered a door bell? Or can you simply not grasp the idea of some manners!' Martin bellowed in true Martin style. He looked at the three of them a short distance away in the lounge and Louisa was just in her element- she was surrounded by all the people she loved so dearly. Martin coughed uncomfortably and whispered discreetly. 'Louisa, I'm going for a walk. We've both had a long night and I think the release of endorphins will lift my mood'.

'Lift his mood?' Louisa thought. Did Martin's biology even allow that? She giggled and nodded.

And so everybody proceeded to welcome this brand new, completely adored, little baby. A baby in which they all felt involved with- The village loved and protected his Mum, and so in-turn they would of course love him too. The living room slowly but surely filled with toys and blankets and clothing and just all sorts of baby equipment. The villagers all wanted a little cuddle with him and cooed and stroked his little tuft of hair. It made Louisa feel a bit nervous but how could she ever feel upset with them; they were being so very kind.

'Well I'm sorry to have to tell ya this, Louisa' Bert announced, with a rather cheeky smirk 'He's the image of our good old Doc. His father's son alright'.

'Mm-hmm' Louisa smirked back. It hadn't escaped her attention, she noticed the moment she first lay eyes on him- and she couldn't have been happier.

'Look at those eyes!' Big, sky blue eyes. Bert fussed as he carefully but surely retrieved the baby from Mrs. Evan. Again. He wanted yet another cuddle.

XXX

Martin took the heaviest exhalation as he marched his way along the coastal path, alongside the village. There was no way he was leaving Louisa in the company of those imbeciles for too long. He shut his eyes momentarily for yet another lengthy breath as he attempted to digest the happenings of the last 8 hours or so. He just couldn't grasp it. The birth process had been very draining and taxing for him also, although he would never admit that to anybody. He was Martin Ellingham the surgeon, the GP, the village oddity to some extent but never Martin the father. It had been difficult seeing Louisa in that much pain and feeling just so incredibly helpless. It was made even more difficult when the last contact he had had with her prior had not exactly been endearing. And then, the tiny little infant appeared. And he certainly was tiny. Martin wondered if he had ever actually seen such a small body. A little human that he now had to partly care for. That in itself was daunting enough. The baby would stir slightly and he would shoot into a fluster. Whereas Louisa just seemed to naturally know what to do, almost an instinct to her. And since his birth, he had never seen anybody happier than Louisa. Ever. A sincere, deep-rooted happiness that he himself had never felt. Nowhere near. He'd also been experiencing emotions he had never know before in his life. He loved Louisa, but now he had feelings for this baby. Feelings of love perhaps, he thought to himself. But how? Was it even a psychological normality to love a newborn? How could he love somebody he had only just met? He barely held him. He hadn't introduced himself as a father properly yet. Well, some light reading on the topic would be a necessity for the evening, he noted.

And he looked perplexed. He was supposed to be heading to Edinburgh, a place that all of a sudden felt even further away. This was an awful lot to take in and would take some time. Anyway, he needed to head back. He marched yet again with that frown. Complete turmoil. He almost reached the end of the path when an enormous hand tapped his shoulder. He almost jump out of his skin.

'Oh!' he gasped as he turned swiftly.

'Sorry, Ellingham. Thought you'd heard me shout ? Or are you on planet Martin again? ' Arnold chirped.

'No I didn't' Martin wasn't amused.

'So how are they?' Arnold smiled. It had been such a privilege for him.

'Erm, yes they are well, thank you. Louisa had a small amount of mild analgesia this morning to ease the expected discomfort. And the baby seems well. 5lb 5oz. A few centimetres shorter than advised but that's to be expected given the circumstances and..' Martin stopped himself in disbelief. There he was giving an update on his baby. He was already falling into 'Dad mode' so it seemed. Arnold looked amused. He knew that Martin knew.

'Let's stop and admire this view' said Arnold, stopping just at the end of the path which happened to be directly in front of the cottage. Again, Martin was unimpressed- 'If we must'.

'Er Arnold…' Martin continued.. 'Louisa and I would like to thank you. We owe you a great deal after last night and I er, very much appreciate it. I don't think my competencies would have been sufficient in that situation'.

'You're welcome, Ellingham. Not every night you become a father hey? And they're both just adorable, aren't they? I remember when both my girls were born. Spectacular moment.' He noticed Martin losing interest, and rapidly!

'Beautiful village. Such a delightful view.' Arnold was taking in the scenery. The sheer, lush hills surrounding them.

'Well. The scenery can be delightful. At the right angle, I suppose. But er, the villagers, not so delightful, I'm afraid.'

Arnold gave him a knowing look, 'You're lady is a villager, is she not delightful?' he smiled entirely knowing he was making Martin feel very uncomfortable.

'Mm.'

'Ok, Martin I'm not going to waste any more time discussing shrubbery and wildlife with you. We need to talk about Edinburgh. Today.'

'Yes'

'So, Edinburgh in 5 days. Now I'm not pressurising you, Ellingham. Your decisions are your decisions. But we need to know. You've dawdled for long enough.'

'Yes, I appreciate that.'

'You're in demand and you know that Martin but NHS waiting lists aren't going to reduce by themselves. So, will you be in Edinburgh in 5 days ?' He was really pressing Martin.

And he had so much to think about now. So much to consider. But his plan was to move to Edinburgh even after the knowledge that there was now going to be a baby.

'Yes' He replied. Clear as day.