In my haste to upload originally, I forgot to mention I own nothing of Doc Martin. I am borrowing the characters for some random speculation while we wait for the rest of the series to unfold.

The original concept of this came to me in a flash, and just as quickly, left. I was looking at it the other day and thinking it still had a few seeds worth exploring. So, here's the next chapter.

DIY: Louisa's Project

Chapter 5

As they lay in bed the next morning just enjoying a few moments of quiet before the day began, Martin thought over the events of the past couple of weeks. Louisa's project, which at first made him a little uncomfortable because he really hated being the center of attention, had produced excellent results … for both of them. As he thought about the woman next to him, he was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for her … her generous spirit, her willingness to try something new, her love for him and Philip, and her pressing on even when things weren't working perfectly. It occurred to him that he'd never had anyone in his life who cared about him so unreservedly, and who wanted him to be happy. It was disorienting, but in a good way.

"Thank you for everything you did this week, Louisa," he said as he kissed her forehead. "You've shown me something that I didn't know existed, and … well thank you."

She laughed and hugged him closer. "Martin, I was trying to improve myself because I was trying to emulate you … you know, the parts of you that you think no one notices," she said. "You actually are incredibly generous and thoughtful in your own way. You often hide those attributes behind a gruff façade, but I'm putting you on notice that I both notice and appreciate your goodwill."

Martin was surprised. He hadn't thought about why or what he did, mostly without really thinking about it. It was deeply ingrained within him, not merely his job, to take care of people. He wouldn't have put it like that: more like doing his job because it was in the interests of public health and well being or something, but it didn't change the fact that many people benefitted from his actions. Louisa was no exception.

The fact that she noticed, thanked him and reciprocated was outside his experience. He was falling more in love with her than ever, if that was possible. Martin realized that his life had changed immeasurably for the better, the day he decided to move to Portwenn, and become a GP. It wasn't the path he had originally sought, and he had considered both the move and his career change as steps down from his previous life. But what he knew now was that both were actually steps in much better directions.

If he had known before what he knew now, … but, there was no use thinking like that. It served no purpose. He realized he should just enjoy what what … and who … he had now. Cherishing Louisa and Philip, and letting them cherish him, sounded like a pretty good way to spend the rest of their lives.

The End