When Martin asked Louisa if she had decided on a date for their wedding, she said, "Not exactly." However, she liked the idea of having it in June. That would make it a special family celebration month, their anniversary and James' s birthday.

Martin had a million other questions but he didn't want to rush her. He was satisfied that by mid-year they would be legally a couple. He didn't think it was right for two old folks like themselves to "shack up." And he did want to introduce her as his wife. At their age, how long could you really be a fiancée?

Now that she was ready to begin planning their wedding, he told her to go ahead and make the major decisions. He would work with her on the details. A week after, she e-mailed him the guest list.

Martin took his time going through the list. He wanted Louisa to have whomever she pleased and appreciated that despite that, she has sought his contribution.

Roger and Maureen Fenn, acceptable. Roger had become a Cornwall celebrity after the score he wrote for The Strange Life of Mr. String became a theatrical hit and won him a BAFTA.

Pauline and Al, yes. He had always liked Al and was happy to have handed over Joan's farm to him on the condition that he continue where Joan had left off with her B&B and organic farm. Aunt Ruth had taken a liking to Al when she met him at Joan's funeral and was in complete agreement with his decision. Under Al and Pauline, the business had thrived. Pauline became a certified nurse and had established a successful daycare centre for seniors in Wadebridge.

It had taken Pauline almost four years after he left the village to forgive him for leaving Louisa. She was so angry, that she had written him a letter addressed to Doc Martin, Imperial Hospital, London which by some miracle was delivered to Mrs. Green for his attention. She handed it to him, looking disdainfully at the envelope. "This looks like it's from someone from your last position in Cornwall."

To his surprise, he felt annoyed at her implication and found himself defending the village.

"Not all stupid people live in Cornwall. We have a large number in London and in this very hospital."

This was her first inkling that Mr. Ellingham was not to be crossed.

"I'm sorry sir, that's not what I meant."

His response was,"Hmmm ..."

Pauline listed all she had done for him when she worked at his surgery, the things Louisa had done to welcome him to the village and the multiple ways he had spurned her. In closing, she wished him a wretched life with the wicked witch, Dr. Edith. He still had the letter. She had only forgiven him, more like called a truce, when one of her two sons was stricken by some unexplainable malaise which he diagnosed after Al had called him in desperation.

The Bosman's and Elliott's, yes. He bore no ill-will towards Caroline and was impressed by the lengths she had gone to protect her friend, although her method was excessive. Robert, his long-time mentor and the woman he had married after his wife's death, Grace, a decided yes. Without Robert's support, and Chris's, he would never have gotten back into Imperial.

Yes to Aunt Ruth, his only known living relative besides James, and her husband, Dennis. Ruth had finally retired and written her book. It had made the bestsellers list, of all places, and was required reading for Criminology students. Old age had not slowed her down or taken the edge off her acerbic, if well-meaning tongue. She lived comfortably in her beloved London with Dennis, a retired Law professor. She had met him at one of her book-signings. Martin had called to tell her about his engagement. If she was surprised, she never showed it and for once, she kept her opinion to herself.

He was glad Louisa had included Victoria and her husband. She had warmed to Victoria the minute she met her. Chris and Jenny, of course. What would his life have been without them? Chris had saved him more times than he could count. And Jenny, he would never forget how kind she had been when Louisa was in the hospital.

Martin added a few of his colleagues to the list, including Zee and Marissa, Viola and her husband, Mrs. Green and her husband.

The list settled, and with almost ten weeks to go before the wedding, planning began in earnest. It was going to be a simple affair, and with few guests there was really not a lot do.

Victoria was a licensed minister and offered to officiate.

Zee and Marissa would do the catering as their gift, and Caroline and Gary the event coordination.

All that was left was for Louisa and Martin to turn up for their wedding.

One morning shortly after, Louisa shook Martin awake and told him that she had made her decision. Looking at her in her rumpled red pyjamas, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail and worry written over her face, he tried to focus.

"Decision about what?"

"I will move to London to live with you on the condition that we purchase the holiday cottage in Truro. The airport in Newquay is nearby so we have the option of flying in for weekends, taking the train or driving down. Please say yes. I want to keep my ties to Cornwall in some way."

Remembering their last and what he hoped was their only big row, Martin caressed her face with his fingers.

"I understand. You will have your holiday cottage. We're not young anymore and I'm beginning to like the idea of getting away from our London Oasis sometimes."

Jenny's brother was developing a small complex of regular housing and holiday cottages on a huge property in Truro. Martin had been hesitant about buying into it until Chris convinced him that the cottages would be spread out on the property so that they would have their privacy.

"It would be a nice getaway that James might want to use when he has a family," Chris had suggested.

For Martin, it was enough to have James in his life. He couldn't think so far ahead to grandchildren, but he trusted Chris and said he would give the idea some thought.

Truth is, he had been dreading Louisa's decision and thought she would not have agreed to living in London. Although she had spent most of her time with him since their engagement, she still called the village home. He was prepared to move to Truro, an option they had discussed. He would then have sold their present home and bought a flat nearer to the heart of the city. They agreed that it would be practical to have their own space when they were in London.

Then, there was the matter of his surgical practice which he wanted to pursue for as long as he could. There would always be another consultation, another opinion, another paper to write, another project to oversee. He knew that one day, he would have to walk away from it, but he wasn't ready to let go completely. He could stay in surgery if he moved to Truro, but the satisfaction level didn't compare to London's. He was forever grateful to Louisa for allowing him to continue to do what he loved and where he loved doing it.

Even Chris who had retired early, had been called out of retirement many time to lend his hospital administration skills to projects all over Britain.

Despite what Martin thought he might have had to give up, he was sincere when he told Louisa, "I was prepared to live wherever you wanted. The important thing is that we're together. I could live anywhere just to wake up with you, fall asleep with you, hear your beautiful Cornish accent."

Louisa felt the same way. "I know. It was hard to decide. I too don't want to not ever be where you are."

"You have given up a lot for me, I don't know how I'll ever make it up to you."

Louisa ran her fingers through his hair and smiled. "I'm learning to compromise. What you have given me in return is all I'll ever need."

They sealed the deal with a kiss. Then Martin wanted to know when she wanted to move.

"I would like it have it done by mid-May. There's a lot to do to get me settled in before our wedding and to prepare the house for the wedding."

"Time for breakfast, then." Martin had heard enough, he knew everything would fall in place from there on.

Later that evening, he brought up a matter which had worried him. He made her what he thought was a fair offer.

"I would like us to purchase a house that we both choose and like. This way we start fresh."

"Thanks but no thanks," she protested. "I love it here. It's a nice location and it's near to James. What more could I ask for?"

"I don't want you to be emotional about this. You love it now, later you may see it as my house. Think about it before you decide. We can always get somewhere after the wedding. I want to start right. I want you to see this house as yours."

"There's nothing to discuss, Martin. When I first saw where you lived, it came as a surprise. I never expected anything like this in London. I like it here, this is our home."

Not entirely convinced, he made a counter-offer

"If that's what you want, fine. But I still want you to feel that you have a stake in our house. You'll have things that you'll bring, and I want us to look at buying a few pieces together to replace some of what's here. I know you have always wanted to make our upstairs lounge more comfortable."

"No, no. It's fine. Why spend if we don't have to? Everything is so expensive and a lot of it is expensive junk."

"Louisa, let me take care of the financial details and you select what you want. Money is not an issue. Get what you want. Why do you find it so hard to allow me these small pleasures? " he asked as he rubbed her back trying to wipe away her worry.

Louisa thought about it and confessed that she did want to make a few purchases. She was pleased that Martin was making the effort to make everything work and although he had excellent taste and didn't have any superfluous pieces, there were a few items that she wanted to replace.

A few days after, Martin took her to a shop that specialized in mid-century modern craftsman furniture, some antique, others reproductions. They decided on a new cherry dining table and chairs. Long term, she was hoping for grandchildren and wanted them to be able to bang about on it and not hurt themselves as they might on Martin's glass-topped table.

She pulled Martin aside to share her plans for the third floor sitting area which was too ascetic for her taste.

"Is it alright if I replace some of the furniture?"

Martin was only too happy to hear her express a preference. "Do whatever you want. Nothing there is of any sentimental value to me."

"What did you have in mind?" he asked.

"Hmm ... I want to make it the place where I spend time with our grandchildren."

Martin raised an eyebrow. "Good. We should have time to install the elevator. Grandchildren will be a long way off."

Encouraged she explained what she had in mind. "I would like a place where our family can put up their feet and not worry too much, comfortable seating and somewhere that makes me feel as if I'm in Cornwall. I want to introduce our grandchildren to the Celtic Sea with soft coastal colours such as blues, greens and greys; comfort them in the chair I used to rock James to sleep; and sing the Cornish lullabies I sang for him. That's how I welcomed James to his world. "

She looked at him shyly and a little apprehensively. Martin was not given to such abstract expression, but she had thought about it for some time and that's how it felt in her mind.

Right there in the shop, he leaned over and kissed her. "I understand. We will do whatever it takes to make Cornwall a part of our life here."

They choose a new sofa and side chairs in the colours she wanted. Martin pointed out a beautiful rug that would pull the area together to which she happily agreed. She also planned to add her rocking chair, a gift from Joan that she was taking with her. She also bought new bed linen and some other odds and ends. His linen were lovely, but a bit masculine.

When she had completed her selection and the sales clerk began totting up the bill, she began fidgeting to the point where Martin noticed. "Is something wrong Louisa?"

"No, no," she lied. Martin knew her well enough now to know that she was worrying about the cost and took her aside.

"We have discussed this. Our purchase has been minimal so there's no need to worry. You also have to remember that this is London, an expensive city. As long as we get value for money, we are fine."

When the bill was ready, the clerk handed it to Martin who looked at it briefly then handed her his bank card. Martin was a valued customer, and the transaction was handled discretely without Louisa having to see the total.

The night before they went shopping, Martin invited her to sit with him in his study. The only time she had been in there, for any significant period, was after the dinner party so she was a little curious. She blushed at the memory and smiled at Martin. Seeing her face, Martin rubbed her back encouragingly and asked her to sit closer to him.

He wanted to discuss his finances with her which he said was now their finances. He logged into his computer and brought up a few months of bank statements, his investment reports, his pension projections and a list of a few other assets. He told her that he was debt free, the house was paid for and that he was in the process of having her added to the title. She had already seen his will and knew he had provided well for her and James.

She was not prepared for this disclosures, but since he had been open with her, she decided to tell him about her finances. Feeling a little shy because hers did not compare well with his she began by saying, "It's not much to speak about but I still want you to know what you're getting into."

"You don't have to tell me anything." he assured her softly.

Ignoring him, she plunged ahead because she knew he would not hurt her feelings. She told him what she had from the sale of her house, her teacher's pension and savings and that she was debt free. Although she had always been frugal, Nathan's illness had consumed a big chunk out of her savings, so that wasn't much. He had said nothing while she was talking and when she finished he said, "Good, our financial discussion is behind us."

Louisa didn't agree. "There's something else we need to discuss." Since he had brought it up, she wanted to have a say about their shared expenses.

"You have provided everything here. I want to at least contribute to our household expenses."

"Nonsense." He said flat out that it was his job to provide for his family. "It's not necessary. Extras here and there will not make a difference."

She was insistent. "I don't want to be a kept woman. Very soon, I'll not have a home in the village, it's only fair that I play my part here."

He cradled her face with his hand so that she was looking at him. "Please give me a chance to make up for all the years when I longed to look after you and couldn't."

When she stood her ground, he said he would go 40/60 with groceries only. Not wanting a row, she agreed.

Then, hesitantly looking at her to gauge her reaction, he reached for her hand. She now recognized this as a sign that he was unsure about her reaction to whatever he was going to say.

"Please hear me out. I would like to make a monthly allowance available to you. You won't have to get involved; it will be deposited to your account."

She thought he was taking things too far. Why would he agree to her measly contribution to groceries then turn around and give her an allowance. "Whatever for?"

"Because you're going to be my wife and that's what husbands do. I don't want you to do without or feel uncomfortable to have to ask me for money if you want to make a big purchase or something unexpected comes."

"But we have already agreed to have a joint account."

He interrupted her. "That's different. That's for groceries."

"Martin this is very generous of you. These are modern times, there's no need. Remember, I have a tidy sum from the sale of my house."

"That," he said, "should be invested. If you agree, I'll have my investment manager get in touch with you to suggest some options."

She wanted to protest, then reminded herself that in Martin's world, an allowance for one's spouse was routine. Plus, she didn't want to throw cold water on his efforts at being a proper husband.

Martin was wealthy. The hospital paid him handsomely for his services, as well as his private consultancy, and he had made smart investment decisions over the years. Undoubtedly, their different money experiences shaped how they handled the talk. Yet is was their love for each other, mixed with maturity and willingness to compromise, that made them cross this hurdle successfully.