Chapter 15

Martin helped Louisa out of the Lexus when they arrived back at the surgery. Louisa still had some tears in her eyes from all of their well-wishers and from saying good night to James Henry. They had arranged with Anne to pick him up the next day around noon.

When they got to the door, Martin unlocked it and then turned toward Louisa. He stooped down and picked her up and carried her into the room, kissing her while they walked. She laughed when he put her down. "Natalie put you up to that, didn't she?" Louisa asked.

"She and Luk both'" said Martin. "Now, shut up Mrs. Ellingham and come here," he said in that velvety tone she still loved so much.

She raised her brows. "Going to boss me around now do you think? Just because I decided I WOULD take your name?"

"No. I am bossing you around because I can not wait one more moment to hold you in my arms. We finally have things 'rearranged again' and I thought we would never get away from all of those idio...friends of your...ours," he said, finally finishing the sentence when she stopped raising her brows.

Louisa laughed. "Come here Dr. Ellingham. I think I have a problem that needs your special touch."

Martin pulled her close. She whispered in his ear, "I think that there might be a more comfortable room upstairs for you to perform your examination."

Martin smiled and held her hand as they climbed up the stairs together. When they got to the bedroom, Louisa turned and stopped him. "I have something special for you Martin but I need for you to wait right here. Don't move a muscle."

Louisa went into the room and shut the door. She reached into the back of the closet and pulled out a beautiful sheer white and lace gown that she had found at the boutique in Truro. With trembling fingers, she put it on and then glanced into the mirror. Hair up or down, she wondered? Oh, I will leave it up. I love for Martin to take it down.

She slowly opened the door and found Martin, tie in hand, waiting in the hallway. He looked at her and drew in a sharp breath. "Oh Louisa, you are amazing." He swallowed. "Breathtaking. Truly. What are you doing here with a man like me?"

Louisa gave a tiny frown. "Why wouldn't I be here with a man like you Martin. You are handsome, brilliant, intelligent, a loving father..."

Martin stopped her, "What did you say at the end?"

"A loving father?" she asked.

"Yes." he said in amazement. "You know that is probably the most wonderful thing anyone has ever said to me Louisa. Except for when you tell me that you love me. God knows I don't deserve it."

"Martin, you know what Luk would say don't you?" Louisa asked. "God knows you DO."

"Enough about Luk. Am I not due to be giving you an examination?" he said, reverting back to his doctor mode.

"Um yes," said Louisa. "I think I need to examine you too." She began to unbutton his shirt and untuck it from his trousers. He pulled off his shirt and vest and she kissed his chest then lifted her mouth to his. They kissed, tongues entwining, holding each other closer, and closer still.

Martin felt that he would never get enough. He reached into her hair and began to pull out the pins holding it in place. He nibbled her neck as she began to unbuckle his belt. He stepped out of his trousers and she could feel his need of her body.

He stopped kissing her and began to untie the straps of the lovely gown she wore. It dropped to the floor. He pulled in another sharp breath and lifted her gently and placed her on the bed. Their bed. He lay down beside her and began to run his finger down her middle. Then he placed a kiss just at a tiny mole close to her navel. She giggled a bit.

He stopped and looked up at her. "Should I shave?" he asked.

"Are you insane? Don't you dare spoil this, Martin Ellngham" she said, pulling him down on top of her and kissing him still more deeply. Louisa had always been amazed at Martin's lovemaking before, but never so much as on this night. He was such a closed, introverted man normally, keeping himself in check, but not when they were together like this. He really paid attention to what pleased her, she thought as she sighed at where his hands were playing at that moment.

Martin stopped and stood up to remove his boxers. He lay back down beside her quickly and rubbed her left cheek with his thumb. He looked her deeply in the eyes. "Mrs. Ellingham," he said to her. "Louisa Glasson Ellingham. It's beautiful. I really do love you, you know?" he asked.

"Yes, Martin. And I you. I like the sound of my new name too." She ran a finger down his nose. "You can say it again to me anytime you want. It's 'useful' to hear it a lot."

"Useful, is it?" he whispered. "Well, is this useful too?" he asked as he cupped her breast with his hand, then his mouth. Louisa moaned and lifted herself to him. She felt as though they were the only two people in the world at that moment. Nothing, nothing could be better than being with Martin like this. He continued to show her his love, to kiss her all over and to make love to her until they were both completely consumed with each other.

Later, after a quick trip downstairs for a bite to eat, they climbed the stairs once more. They made love again, slowly this time, savoring every part of each other.

When the moon rose in the sky, Martin was still awake. He looked down at a sleeping, lovely Louisa. Oh my God, he thought. And this time he knew. He knew it was a prayer and he surprised himself by thinking that Luk's prayer had been answered too. Now that he was united completely with this woman, for the first time in his life, he, Martin Ellingham, was living in a haven of peace.