*** Hey guys! Thanks for hanging in there with me. We are gonna get these two together VERY SOON! Reviews still appreciated!"

Chapter 13

Planning the details for a christening party and even a small wedding consumed much of the time over the next few weeks. Louisa finally found the time on a Saturday to run to the little boutique she knew of in Truro. She had bought some special lingerie before, for the first wedding, but this time seemed different. She wanted to choose again. And Martin had told her of a dream he'd had one night as they cuddled on the sofa. "In the dream you were wearing white, Louisa. Sheer, white fabric, white lace. It was lovely. You were unbelievable." She had her fingers crossed that she could find a negligee that was white because she felt sure it would please Martin. She was feeling flushed just thinking about it.

During the next week, the one before the wedding and christening, Martin made arrangements for any patients to go to Wadebridge surgery from Friday afternoon until Tuesday morning. He and Louisa had decided to have a proper honeymoon when James was a bit older and they felt more comfortable leaving him with someone, although he was staying Friday night with Anne. Martin gave Morwenna the time off, telling her he had meetings to attend elsewhere ("No I am not leaving for London, not that it is any of your business!) and she was thrilled because he said she could have the time off with pay. She thought something must surely be wrong with him, but Louisa assured her that all was well.

On this Tuesday morning, just before surgery hours, Martin grabbed his bag to walk to the chemist. He needed some things that Natalie had ordered and decided to pick them up himself as he had a home visit to do that was close by. Just as he was ready to walk into the shop, Bert Large came up the street. "Doc," he said. "About ready for the christening then?" he asked as he walked in first. Martin was annoyed at being held up by Bert's girth but answered the question anyway. "Yes, Bert. Everything is ready. I just hope that you and Al are going to have the food ready for the party."

"You betcha, Doc," Bert said. "No problem."

Right, Martin thought. We will be lucky if you even get the cake Louisa ordered from the baker. Empty calories anyway.

"And how is my favorite vicar's wife this fine mornin'?" Bert asked Natalie. She smiled and asked, "Are you saying Luk is your favorite vicar, or that you like me better than any of the other wives?" Natalie said with a laugh. And then Martin watched as her familiar smile change to shock.

"Bert, Bert are you all right?" Natalie yelled. Martin tried to steady himself as Bert began to fall down right against him. He helped the large man to the floor with the aid of Natalie who had come around the counter quickly.

Martin then got down on the floor and tried to find a pulse in Bert's neck. "Bert," he shouted. "Bert."

Bert's eyes fluttered and he said, "Doc, what's happenin'? I don't think this one is a panic attack, Doc."

"What happened Bert? Are you having pain in your chest?" Martin asked since Bert was raising his right arm to place it on his heart.

"Yeah, Doc. Chest, arm, back. What is it?" Bert asked and then closed his eyes and quieted.

"Bert!" yelled Martin. "Bert! Natalie, get me some aspirin and then call Morwenna and tell her to bring my defibrillator! Quickly!"

"Bert!" he said again. He laid his ear on Bert's chest and tried to listen. Nothing. He felt for a pulse again with his right hand and began dialing 999 on his phone with the other.

Villagers were beginning to form a small crowd as usual outside of the shop. Anytime someone was on the ground, a group was sure to gather.

Martin let go of Bert and started pulling out his stethoscope as he ordered the ambulance. Things began to happen very quickly. Martin finally heard a faint, slow pulse when he used the stethoscope. Natalie handed him the aspirin as she talked to Morwenna. Martin carefully placed the aspirin on the tip of Bert's tongue so that it could melt. He continued to monitor Bert's pulse.

Next, Martin heard Joe Penhale as he raced to break through the crowd. "Police! Out of the way! Out of the way!" he yelled as he cut through the group of villagers. "Ok Doc what do we need to do next?" he asked.

"You idiot!" Martin yelled. "WE don't need to do anything. I need for you to keep quiet as I monitor Bert. Get the villagers out of the way so that the ambulance personnel can come through when they arrive. Morwenna is on the way as well! Move it!"

Penhale began to push the growing crowd away from the door of the little chemist shop. Morwenna came rushing in with the defibrillator. "Who is it, Doc?" she said as she ran in the door." Seeing Bert, she said, "Oh no, not Bert. I'll go and get Al."

Meanwhile Martin had quickly opened the defibrillator and was charging it in case he lost the pulse completely. He could still only make it out faintly with the stethoscope. "Bert!" he called again. "Bert!"

At last the ambulance arrived. Martin made it quite clear right away that he would be going with them. When Morwenna came back with Al, Natalie asked her to call Luk and ask him to go get Emily and then come and close the shop. She wanted to go in the ambulance too. Martin looked at her fiercely. "Natalie, I really don't think it is necessary."

Natalie looked Martin straight in the eye. "Martin, you pray your way and I will pray mine. Let's go." Al followed in the van as the ambulance turned away toward Truro.

Natalie immediately sat on Bert's right side, having to squeeze into the small amount of space left around the large man. She touched his right hand with hers and immediately bowed her head and began to pray silently.

Martin spoke quickly to the member of the A&E team and filled him in on what had happened so far. He continued to monitor Bert's pulse and was reassured when it seemed to grow a bit stronger. Suddenly, as he raised his eyes from Bert's chest to his face, all of the noise receded and in his thoughts he found himself back on one of his first days in Port Wenn. Bert was only one of the village idiots who had been driving him absolutely batty since his arrival and had returned Martin's car from the garage after Martin had been forced to drive it into a bog. Bert had asked him if he was definitely leaving and Martin had replied in the affirmative. Then Bert had said something that had changed Martin's mind. He had said that the way he looked at it was that Martin needed patients and Port Wenn needed a doc. And then Bert had said, "And we don't all have to love one another now, do we?" Bert had said.

Martin had reconsidered his decision and everything else that had followed had happened because of what Bert had said. There would have been no Louisa. No James Henry. No wedding. No christening. None of it without Bert.

The noise of the ambulance rushed back into Martin's ears as he shook his head. He must pay attention. Louisa loved this man. And he...? Thankfully, they arrived in Truro at that moment. The emergency personnel at the hospital took over and Martin rushed back into emergency with Bert. He called for Natalie and Al to wait for him in the A & E sitting area.

Later, Luk joined Natalie and Al in the waiting area, along with little Emily. When Martin finally came out, they rushed over to him. "His condition has stabilized," he said. Natalie hugged Al as tears came to his eyes. "They will be taking him to the critical care unit shortly and Al and Luk can go in and see him for only a few moments. He is awake but very tired and needs rest."

"Of course Martin," said Luk.

"I need to get back to the surgery. Do you want to come back with me Natalie?" Martin asked.

"No, Martin but thank you. I'll just stay and take care of Emily while Luk goes in. Then one of us will ride home with Al so he won't have to be alone."

"Fine. They will be keeping me informed. The nurse will come to get you, Al. You will need to sign some paperwork as well. I will see you all later," Martin said.

Martin left and in a few moments a nurse came and called for Al. He and Luk went to see Bert. "Only for a minute or two," said the nurse.

"We understand," said Luk.

The nurse showed them into the ward. They walked up close to Bert's bed. "Dad. Dad, it's me Al and Father Jacobs is here as well," Al said.

"Hello boy," Bert said in a weak voice as he opened his eyes. "Hello Father."

"Luk to you Bert," said Luk as he held Bert's hand.

"There is something I need to say to you both. Come closer," said Bert.

The nurse looked over as Al and Luk bent close to the head of Bert's bed. She heard him whisper something and then, 'BEEP, BEEP!' Bert's heart monitor began to wail.