Chapter 14

Friday came and found Luk driving to Truro to visit Bert in hospital. Thankfully, the team in Critical Care had been able to restart Bert's heart and his condition had stabilized later on that same day. Now, he was in a regular ward, having been released from Critical Care the evening before. Bert was not happy, of course, at the diet the hospital had placed him on, but was trying to resign himself to it. Martin had been to visit each day and had lectured him thoroughly that morning about how he would have to eat once he left hospital.

Luk was trying to keep Bert's spirits up by telling him jokes and asking his opinion about things that needed fixing at the vicarage. Louisa, of course, had come to visit and many other villagers too, although no one had been able to stay very long while Bert had remained in Critical Care.

Louisa moved most of her things back into Martin's room on Thursday night and then collapsed with exhaustion into bed after giving Martin a kiss on the cheek. Martin didn't sleep well, partly because he was thinking hard and partly because of Louisa's presence. Tomorrow night, he thought. She will be mine - no - we will belong to each other - and I WILL do this. I WILL.

On Friday around four o'clock, Luk went over to the church and turned on the lights and then went into his office to get some last minute items ready for the service. After a few minutes, he heard the door of the church open. He looked at his watch. Only 4:08. They must be anxious he thought, and walked out, expecting to find Martin and Louisa. Instead he found himself face to face with Joe Penhale. "Joe," he said. "What are you doing here? Can I help you with something?"

Joe looked around nervously. "Um, no Father. I was just on pa...patrol and noticed the lights on in the church and thought I would come and check to see if there was anything wrong."

"No, Joe. All is well. I am just doing some work here. Um, I have a couple coming in later for a wedding rehearsal," Luk said. Whew, he thought. Good thing I have that tonight or I would have to think up a lie. I have GOT to get him out of here! "Everything is fine. You just head on out on your patrol. Don't want to keep you."

"Um, ok Father," Joe said, backing toward the door. "See you later."

Luk turned around and went back into his office.

Louisa and Natalie arrived about half four, along with Anne to hold the babies. Louisa was wearing the wedding dress she had worn before because she still cherished it and wanted to have good memories of finally getting to wear it. She and Natalie went into a room over on one side of the front of the church.

Martin had gone to get Ruth and arrived a few moments later. They both went to a spot in the front of the church on the opposite side from the ladies. Martin was wearing a black suit and tie and was carrying a beautiful bouquet that he had purchased for Louisa. Ruth had bought a new dress as well and Martin was complaining to her about the shoes she had purchased with it. "You're a doctor, Aunt Ruth! If anyone should know that shoes like that are inappropriate for the foot, it should be you."

"Oh, hush Martin," Ruth said. "You have much more important things to worry about right now. Are you sure about this marriage?"

"Yes of course," Martin replied impatiently.

"Do you have Louisa's ring?" she asked.

Martin looked at Ruth and rolled his eyes. "What kind of idiot do you think I am? Certainly I have the ring!" he said as he patted his front pocket to make sure it was still there.

Luk came over to Martin. "Are you ready Martin?" he asked. "Yes Luk, thank you," Martin replied.

"Then let's pray." Both Martin and Ruth bowed their heads. Luk spoke in his gentle accent, "God of grace, be with Martin today. Grant him your patience and a heart full of love for Louisa. Bless their home and make it a haven of peace. In Christ's name, Amen." He paused then said, "I will call you up in a minute. Let me go and see the ladies," Luk added.

Louisa paced nervously. Natalie tried to calm her. "Louisa, everything will be fine. You and Martin are two wonderful people who are totally committed. And that is what it takes. That and a reliance on God."

"Thank you Natalie," Louisa said as she stilled. "I needed that. Now can you help me to put this veil on? This mirror is so small." The two began to fuss with the veil and finally got it straightened.

"You look beautiful," said Natalie. "Martin will be dazzled."

"You really do," added Anne. "I sure hope these little ones stay asleep. I tried to keep them awake all afternoon so that they could stay throughout the service. Made me feel bad to do it, but they are taking shorter and shorter afternoon naps anyway, at least when I have them both."

Luk walked up. "Martin asked me to give you these Louisa," he said, handing over the beautiful bouquet.

"Oh they are gorgeous," said Natalie. " I wonder if he got those at the florist here in Port Wenn?"

"No, I think he ordered them in Wadebridge and sent Ruth over for them. Long story I will explain to you later," Louisa said. She held them to her nose. "Beautiful, and fragrant too."

Luk had a quick prayer with the ladies too and then approached the altar table. He raised his voice and asked them all to come to the front. Louisa and Martin gazed into each other's eyes and Louisa smiled. Martin came close and kissed her cheek. He whispered, "Louisa, you take my breath. You are more beautiful today than ever."

"Thank you Martin," she said quietly

Luk began to direct everyone to their places. Natalie stood beside Louisa with James Henry in her arms. Ruth stood beside Martin. Anne was sitting on the front pew holding Emily. "Everyone ready?" Luk asked.

They all nodded and so Luk looked directly at them and began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

"Al, I can't hear," said a whispering voice a few rows back.

The wedding party turned around and Luk lifted his head and called out, "Is someone there? Hello?" There was silence. "Hello?"

Slowly, behind the fourth pew and over on the side, Al Large rose up, holding a laptop computer with Bert's face on it.

"Ouch, Al you stepped on me, " they heard and then Pauline rose sheepishly as well.

"Who else is there?" Martin shouted. Slowly Joe, Morwenna, Caroline and Tom, Stewart the ranger, Peter Cronk and his mum, Tommy and Tasha, Colonel Spencer and his wife Susan, Roger and Maureen, Pippa and two others from the school, stood up as well.

Luk's mouth dropped open. His eyes met Joe's and Joe looked down. "Forgive me Father for I have sinned," he said.

"Wrong church Joe. What is going on?" Luk asked.

"Well, um," Al said. "I was over at your house fixing the toilet the other week and I couldn't help but overhear when Louisa and the Doc were asking about getting married today. And um, I kinda told Dad and...when Luk and I went into Critical Care, Dad whispered that we had to make sure the wedding went right. No one skipping out. And um, well, we do have Skype even here in Cornwall, don't we" he finished.

"Don't shout as us Doc!" Bert said from the computer screen. " I couldn't miss Louiser's wedding. And I couldn't let everyone else miss it either," he finished.

Luk looked at Martin. Martin looked at Luk. Then Martin looked at Louisa and paused. Then he shrugged. "Go on then," he said to Luk. Then "Wait!" he said. He turned around to the group behind him. "But you CAN'T come back to the surgery when this is finished!" he shouted.