Chapter 16

Martin and Louisa had a wonderful weekend together. They missed James Henry but knew they would miss the quiet time together also. They picked up the baby on Saturday at lunchtime and took him home. He drank a bottle and played. Louisa held him and kissed his sweet head. "Tomorrow is your special day," she said. And then, "Oh, Martin I just remembered. The christening gown. Ruth found your old christening gown in one of Joan's chests. She said she couldn't think how it got there but she asked if we wanted it."

"Are you sure Louisa? Surely it is dirty and yellowed with age?" Martin asked.

"No, believe it or not, it is fine. I washed it and left it to dry before the wedding. I need to iron it. Can you hold James while I get to it?" she asked.

"Certainly," Martin said as he held his son. He lifted him up to check his nappy. "Oh, you did this on purpose Louisa! Could you not smell that?"

"What?" Louisa asked innocently.

Martin only grunted and took James upstairs for a change while Louisa took out the ironing board. She hummed as she ironed the beautiful white gown. She wondered how many Ellinghams had been baptized in this. She thought of Martin's mother and shook her head in wonder that anyone could be so callous and wondered what she had been thinking on the day she had placed baby Martin in this gown. She must not have thought much of the promises she made that day. I will just have to love Martin all the more, she thought.

The following morning was a beautiful, sunny day, crisp and clear, perfect for a get-together after the christening. Natalie had offered to host everyone at the vicarage since not many had been there since she and Luk had moved in and gotten the place cleared up a bit. Al, with Pauline and Luk's help, got the hors d'oeuvres and cake ready before the service. Al was going to skype the baptism to Bert as well. They hoped he would be able to hear well since Al planned to sit on the front pew.

The service started promptly at eleven. A gentleman who was a "friend of a friend" of Ruth had come down from London and was staying at the pub. He was a retired organist and was interested in trying life at the coast so he and his wife were there and the whole congregation was thrilled at getting to hear their organ once again. Luk was excited, as he loved organ music. Also, Natalie had bought him a new stole with a dove on it, just for wearing at baptisms. At Ruth's suggestion, Martin had purchased a beautiful shell for the church's use that day and at future baptisms.

At last the time came for the christening. At Luk's invitation, Martin and Louisa took James Henry to the font. Even he seemed to know it was a special day. Louisa held him and he looked up at his father and smiled. Luk began to speak the beautiful words of the ancient sacrament and at last the time came. He asked Martin and Louisa the question which has been asked for hundreds of years. "What name is given to this child?" Martin and Louisa answered together, "James Henry Glasson Ellingham." Luk lifted the lovely shell. The water dripping from it shimmered in the sunlight flowing through the windows of the lovely church building. Luk then said as he poured the water, "James Henry, I baptize you in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Complete

This first-time writer needs to say a BIG thank you to all of the readers and reviewers, especially Chapin and robspace54. I feel that I have been welcomed into a lovely family. I also want to say, in case any of them read these stories, a great big thank you to the creator and writers of the show Doc Martin. Thank you for bringing to life such wonderful characters that bring so much joy to so many. Cheers!

Doc Martin belongs completely to Buffalo Pictures. This story is a work of fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.

If you have enjoyed this story, please leave a review and then travel over to Sing Together, the sequel. Thank you.