As Chris and I step into the courtyard, we walked under an archway of Gary's creation. I am momentarily caught off guard. What had been a nice courtyard, had been transformed into an exotic and beautiful city garden.
There's a suggestion of a canopy made of very thin fabric, with what looks like small pearly lights trailing down the posts holding it up at strategic points. As I got closer, I see they are not lights, but a kind of pearly looking bulbs which gives the illusion of light. Gary hands Chris and I a yellow rosebud boutonnière each, Louisa's idea. Ahead of us, Victoria is standing under another archway waiting on us. I wink at her. Behind her, there are at least 50 tea lights on a hanging shelf.
She walks towards me. "Martin I'm so happy for you." I see tears in her eyes and I hug her back. I feel the prickle of tears and will them away.
"Thank you Victoria." I can't say anymore. She understands.
I'm pleased at what I see around me - beautiful atmosphere and guests who share our joy. Louisa will love this.
At exactly 11 am, I hear the soft strains of John Lennon's Imagine and turn to look towards the door that leads from the courtyard into the house. Standing in the doorway is a radiant Louisa arm in arm with our son. My knees seem to buckle and I feel beads of sweat running down my back as I watch my bride walk the few steps to where I am waiting for her.
I have no idea where Louisa got her wedding dress, she had refused my offer to go shopping with her. Said it was bad luck or some such nonsense.
It is a simple knee-length cream sheath with tiny pearls embedded in it at strategic points, which wrap around her hips and slope up to one side of her slender waist up to around her back. The top, above her breast, is sheer all the way up to her neck, as well as her elbow length sleeves, and, as I discovered later, her upper back. It shows off her figure to perfection. Her hair is pulled back in a mass of loose curls. A tiny veil covers her face. Her only jewelry is a pair of delicate, sparkling pewter pumps decorated with pearls, and her engagement ring. She doesn't have on any makeup, just a red lipstick that I love.
James gently puts her hand in mine and we smile at each other. I feel her trembling. Her lips are quivering, but her eyes never leaves mine. I squeeze her hands lightly, more to steady myself really and wonder if she feels the sweat pouring from my palm. My beautiful bride looks at me with a trust I never thought possible. Victoria looks at us reassuringly as she begins.
Isobel steps forward to read an excerpt from the Song of Solomon. I know it by heart, so it doesn't matter that her voice sounds far away.
"My beloved speaks and says to me: 'Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."
I hold Louisa's hand tight. At one point I thought she was going to faint and look over at Chris anxiously. He smiles back at me so I relax. All I can see is Louisa, the only sound is her breathing.
Victoria lights the two pillar candles on a table behind her and motions that it is time for us to say our vows.
Still trembling, but with a surprising strong voice, my bride holds my gaze and offers me her vow.
I, Louisa Mary Tiggle take you Martin George Ellingham for my husband. Now we will feel no rain, for each of us will be shelter for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of us will be a companion to the other. There is only one life before us, and our seasons will be good and long. I promise to be your partner, your lover, your friend, no matter what lies before us, for as long as we both shall have breath.
I repeat that exact vow in as strong a voice as I can command, with Louisa smiling at me encouragingly.
We stand looking at each other, not hearing when Victoria pronounces us man and wife and invites me to kiss my bride. I did hear her say, "Friends, may I present Martin and Louisa Ellingham," but her voice seemed to be coming from another planet.
I have eyes only for Louisa, it is as If we're alone in our own little world. When Chris steps forward and nudges me gently, I pull her to me, slowly lift her veil from her face, run my hand up her back, lift her up in my arms and give her a long slow kiss meant only for our eyes. But I don't care now. When we break apart, there are tears in our eyes.
From the far distance, I hear a loud cheer. When I remember where I am and look up, Jenny, Caroline, Isobel, Pauline and Viola are openly crying. Aunt Ruth is dabbing at her eyes and Roger Fenn blows loudly into his handkerchief. James is the first to reach us.
He sweeps us up into a hug. "Congratulations, Mum and Dad."
Louisa hides her face in my chest and whispers, "I have waited so long for this."
"Me too," I tell her softly.
In the background, I hear the soaring melody of our song, Etta James's beautiful At Last. Soon our friends surround us and offer their congratulations. Jenny gets to me first.
"Martin, I am so happy for you. So, so happy." She hugs me unable to say anymore. I give her my handkerchief. "Take this and get I grip,"
Shortly into our meet and greet, Caroline tells us that we have to dance at least one song. This comes as a surprise to me, but at Caroline's insistence, we walk towards the middle of the courtyard. Wrapping my arms around her shoulders, we smile as the first note of Adele's Make you feel my love sounds.
When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.
When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.
Neither of us are self-conscious as we're in our own little world. We enjoy dancing to that song. Soon, our guests are swaying and singing along as we hold each other. We manage to put on a presentable performance. For all the dancing we like to do, we had never done so outside the walls of our home.
Dancing out of the way, we move from table to table to greet our guests. Thankfully, I don't have to say much as I am just going through the motions. I'm almost beginning to feel light-headed as I watch my smiling bride walking confidently from one table to the other, hanging on to my arm..
When she asks, "Isn't that right Martin?" or "Isn't that what you said Martin?" all I have to do is nod.
Roger comes up to me and shakes my hands. "I always hoped that one day you two would get back together. It seems that nothing was ever going to keep you apart."
"Thanks Roger. Louisa tells me that you stayed in touch with her even after you moved to Wadebridge. That was kind of you."
"She had it rough, even though she had Nathan for a time. It was the least I could do. Well, all's well that ends well. You and your family are together now. I know you'll look after her, so I won't ask."
I have always liked Roger. He never asked me to be who I was not when I came to village. Before I forgot my manners, I asked after his twin boys.
"Patrick plays violin and piano with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and teaches at the London School of Music. Paul lives in Italy and has a successful ceramic studio. Your wedding gift is one of his pieces. Thanks to him, we have a grandson who speaks Italian and English fluently."
What followed next threw me for a six. "Are you ready for grandchildren?
Me a grandfather? I knew Louisa loved children and would welcome grandchildren. I could only wonder what it would be like.
"That is a long way off. James is too busy and I don't think he's ready for children."
"Whether James is ready or not, children come when they are ready to come," Roger chuckled.
"Look at Maureen and myself, having children at our age. Look at you and Louisa."
"Ummph ..." was all I could say.
Tom Bosman was gracious. He got up and shook my hand when I walked over to where he was sitting. "You had me there, Martin. It was a very moving ceremony. I have never seen anything like this"
"All Caroline's doing. We trusted her to do a great job and she did."
"Well, yes, but it was more than that. I never thought you and Louisa would ever be back in each other's lives, yet here you are. I wish you a happy married life, Martin, a happy life."
Fortunately, Caroline interrupted to say the photographer was ready for us. I didn't have a response for Tom so I excused myself and went in search of Louisa. She was with Aunt Ruth who was holding court in the lounge. I came up just in time to hear her telling Rosie that her mother's name was Rose and it would be nice to have another Rose in the family. It would be even nicer if she and James did not wait too long to continue the Ellingham line. Louisa laughed helplessly when she realized that I have overheard all of that and walked into my arms.
"I know. The photographer is here. Let's get it over and be done with before Caroline has a coronary. I missed you," she whispered playfully.
"Me too."
"I'm so looking forward to when this is over. I'm starving."
"Let me fix you a plate," I offer, all concerned.
"No, the photos won't take long."
"Louisa, you don't want to be bride who passes out at her wedding." She's was adamant so we went outside to where Caroline was about to read us the riot act.
Taking the photos was not a bad as I had thought. The young man was capable and made Louisa laugh, and for that I was grateful. With nerves at high pitch and on a hungry stomach, Louisa could just as easily have broken down in tears.
Finally, we are sitting at a table with Chris, Jenny, Robert and Grace, his new wife who I was meeting for the first time. Louisa picks at her plate.
"I'm too hungry," she confesses. "Eating makes me feel worse.
"Well, at least you had breakfast. What did you have?" I wasn't prepared for her response.
"Nothing. I was too nervous."
Chris, Robert and I looked at her as if she had gone mad. It had to be at least eight hours since she had been awake. Grace steps in to save her. Of course Grace has no medical training, but as a gracious host, I allow her get away with her claptrap.
"Gentlemen, when you're a bride, love and a taste of cake is more than enough sustenance."
"I did have coffee and toast." She says defensively.
I decide to remain silent. It's our wedding day. Adrenaline will take her through the day until I can get her to eat properly.
I pulled Al aside, really to say thanks. He always called to say how the farm and the B&B were doing and sometimes shared news about Louisa or James. I really owe him.
"Good to see you Al. Everything alright, your health and so forth?"
"Yes, Doc. After knowing you and your talk about health and genes, I tried to look after myself properly."
"It shows. I appreciate your helping out Louisa and James."
"Doc, it was the least I could do. Louisa has always been special and you have been very kind to my family."
Then he went on to the matter at hand. "I'm glad you and Louisa finally got back together. Everybody in the village knew you were the one. Not that she didn't love Nathan, but it was always you. You were different."
"I was just plain lucky Al. Lucky she accepted me back into her life."
"So, are you coming down our side anytime soon?"
"Not sure when, but yes. I won't be able to keep Louisa away."
Al said what I had been thinking all day. "Mrs. Norton would have loved to be here, although I think she's here in spirit. She wouldn't miss this. Having James in her life made her very happy. Louisa and James were her family."
Realizing he might have thread on thin ice, Al apologized. "Sorry Doc, I didn't mean it that way. I know she was your aunt and you were like a son to her."
"I know what you mean Al. I should have been to see her more often. There were lots of things I should have done in Portwenn." The regret showed on my face and Al tried to cheer me up.
"Doc, no use crying over spilt milk. Today you got a chance to do the right thing by Louisa, James is back in your life and Mrs. Norton would be happy about that."
By 5:30 pm, we have the house to ourselves and are snuggled up in my favourite chair. I had gotten Louisa to eat a light meal when most of our guests had left and she was visibly calmer. She had begun complaining of a headache which I'm sure had to do with her drinking the night before. Jenny made her a cup of tea and I made sure to sit with her and watch her have it.
"You old fusspot," she teased. "Caroline is enough for one day."
The house had been put back in order, ready for our "honeymoon" as Jenny called it. We had decided to enjoy our post-wedding time at home in London and go down to Cornwall later when our cottage was ready. Thanks to Mrs. Green's blundering, I would be home next week.
For thank-you gifts, we gave Caroline a charm for her bracelet and Gary a piece of garden equipment which Isobel said he had lusted after. We gave the Parsons a long-weekend in a posh London hotel, that came with an overnight cruise along the Thames. Jenny would enjoy the pampering and because it was not far from Imperial, we thought Chris would be able to meet up easily with some of his colleagues. For Victoria, my very special friend, I had my jeweler make up a bracelet of white gold and turquoise, her birthstone.
I put aside my mental review of the day and turn my attention fully to Louisa who is curled up in my arms. She is still my radiant bride, still dressed in her wedding dress, although she had kicked off her shoes. That piece of jewelry has been replaced with her wedding ring, a plain white gold band dotted with tiny rubies. I have a matching band, plain, save for one ruby. The words, At last, M & L are inscribed on our ring.
Suddenly, I feel weak, my face flushed. I am in delayed shock. Louisa is finally my wife. Years of yearning for her are now a reality. Louisa must have sensed the change in my mood, because she begins rubbing my shoulders, something I enjoy. I reach for the glass of water next to us, and take a long gulp.
"Is everything alright Martin?"
I couldn't answer. The words wouldn't come out right. Aunt Ruth's May and December rib ring in my ears. What if tonight, of all nights I cannot satisfy my bride? We never had a problem. In fact, we had slipped into an easy, spontaneous intimacy after our first night together.
"What is it Martin, you can tell me you know," Louisa murmurs as she brings her lips to my ear and began nibbling on it.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just delayed shock," I lie.
"That makes two of us. I think that's one of the reasons I had a headache earlier. Everything was rushing around in my head, it was too much. When I was saying my vow, I couldn't hear myself or see anyone but you. "
To play for time, I caress her soft arms, play with her hair and trace the outline of her face with my fingers. She responds by opening the top buttons of my shirt and lets her hands wander over me.
"Are you trying to get me hot?" I ask hoarsely. I can tell by her breathing that she is feeling as I am. "
"Why not?" she asks playfully. "It's my wifely duty. I know something that will cool us down for a bit, if you want."
I don't want to be cooled down. Not really. But when she suggests that we spend some time in the soaking tub I jump at it. Ever since her first time, Louisa has found it relaxing and I enjoy being in it with her.
We go upstairs to shower and almost didn't make it back downstairs. She looks around as we enter the bedroom, her expression a mix of joy and shock.
"Everything is so beautiful. Thanks for making this day special for me. I know it must have cost you a pretty penny."
I cut her short, there she goes again. "Louisa, you have to stop doing that. I want to shower you with the best. Nothing is too much for my bride." I reach under her pillow and give her the negligee. "And it includes this, one of my wedding gifts to you."
She's visibly moved and reaches for the negligee. "This is what I had wanted to wear tonight. When I went back to the store the day after, they said it was gone. It was you. Martin Ellingham, I hardly know this romantic side of you."
"You bring out the best in me," I say as I play with her hair.
Then she grins. "You're really a Londoner. You called immediately, I waited and went back to the store."
"Well ... "
She reminds me, "The soaking tub." We shower quickly then go outside for a soak. The bliss on Louisa's face warms my heart. I'm brought back to reality from my half-asleep state by Louisa.
"This feels so good. I have been a wreck all day."
"You could have fooled me. You looked confident and radiant ," I mumble as I watch the water lapping around her shoulder.
"And you looked so handsome, my husband, " she teases. "Can't believe you stood up so well. I was expecting you to start fidgeting mid-way through. I'm glad it went well and we can finally relax" Louisa says as she sinks further into the tub.
"Well, it's your day, and it's not over yet. Anything you want is yours for the asking."
"I have a question. What were you and Al talking about? You both looked so serious."
I didn't dare tell her how grateful I was to Al, lest it led to other questions.
"Oh, we caught up on what was happening at the farm and such things."
"You always did get along with Al, didn't you?"
"Somebody had to save him from his father."
"You?" she burst out laughing. "If I recall you didn't get along with your father."
"Let's not talk about that," I protested.
Unwittingly, I had led her into territory I had not ventured into for years.
"Whatever happened to them? Ruth has never spoken about them. I wondered about them when James was born. I never wanted him not to have family as I really didn't have any."
"They have been dead for some time. They divorced and went their separate ways. Dad had a stroke and died in a London nursing home. Mum had an unhappy marriage, a nervous breakdown and died alone five years into her marriage in Portugal."
"So they must have been alive when James was born. Wonder if Ruth ever told them that they had a grandson."
"Louisa." I had to stop this discussion. I hadn't thought about them for over 20 years and I wasn't going to do so on my wedding day.
"That's all in the past. Ruth has a great relationship with James and, as far as I know, she's about the only family I have."
Louisa leaned against me quietly for a long time and I was content to hold her in my arms and watch the water lapping around her shoulder.
"Time to go in." I nudged her gently when I felt her dozing off.
Out of the blue, she asked, "Martin, I have met some of your friends and want to get to know them better. Can we invite them over every now and again?"
I hadn't changed that much. I still enjoy my solitude, and only went to the occasional staff event under duress. Patients, especially the well-connected ones, had always invited me to their social events but I had always declined citing the need to keep work and pleasure separate.
Her request seemed simple. Besides the confrontation with Caroline, the dinner with her friends had gone well. "Yes," I promised and helped her up from the tub.
Then we went upstairs to our bedroom for our first night together as husband and wife.
As we lay together, I took my finger and wiped away the tears trickling down Louisa's face. "Thank you for marrying me and for giving me our son. We're finally a family." I say softly.
"My pleasure. Thank you for making my life complete. There's nothing I want that I do not now have."
We drifted off to sleep with her lying against my chest with my arms wrapped around her and her hair tickling my face. All was well in the Ellingham household. May and December were doing just fine.