CHAPTER FOURTEEN REMEMBRANCE
The Characters, places and situations of Doc Martin are owned by Buffalo Pictures. This story makes no claim of remuneration or ownership, nor do I make any attempt to infringe upon any rights of the owners or producers.
Thank you for reading. Your reviews and comments are most appreciated. There may be spoilers for Season Six.
Are you curious about James and a wedding? Wait no more!
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A daughter's a daughter the whole of her life. A son is a son 'til a son takes a wife.
James and Emily were off on a proper hike. They would be gone most of the day so I decided to call Natalie and chat a bit. James was on a break from his medical studies and Emily, with a holiday break, had come to spend a month. He was based in Plymouth but they wanted a good bit of time in Portwenn. Frankly I was thrilled. Time with my son is a premium now with his studies. There was no choice of course on having him to myself. He and Emily had been joined at the hip since childhood and that had only become a firmer attachment with time. But there was a change in the wind. I could see it in the way that they were with each other during this visit. So thinking I might catch Natalie mid afternoon I dialed her number. We spoke with each other almost weekly.
"Louisa! Hello on a rainy summer day in Connecticut. What's going on with our children? Emily has not been very good in the communication department."
"Well, Natalie, not too much talk here, but plenty of communication, if you get my drift."
"I'm all ears. Tell me!"
"I have to tell you your daughter is a thief, Natalie - a bloody thief!"
"Whoa, what in the world are you talking about?"
"Your daughter is stealing my son's heart. And the other half of it is he is handing it back on a golden platter!"
"Well, no surprise is there? They have been heading toward this for a long time; since childhood I would say. Remember how Emily would steal James's toys and he would set up a howl? We tried to teach them to trade, but they still had their battles and bruises."
"All I can say, Natalie is the look in their eyes is different. Their conversations are close and private. There is an ocean between them but I would bet my money that they are trying to figure out how to narrow the distance."
"Well Louisa, Natalie has her teaching credential. Could she teach there where James is? I don't see how he could change his medical studies to the States."
"With a degree in science, I do not think there would be a problem. She could begin as a Supply Teacher, and that could work into a full time position. But those are the facts. Where are your emotions girl? Your first-born an ocean away?"
"Well, I can tell you on the practical side my food budget will go down not having to keep Emily supplied with Marmite and Yorkshire Tea.
"But Louisa, I honestly couldn't be more pleased. They are mature beyond their age and I will leave it to them. My bet is they will be having conversations with us very soon and seeking our advice. It is how they do things. Emily and I talk a lot and I can tell you she loves James deeply. They have both had opportunities with others. I know we did the high school dating thing, proms and all. You told me about the girl from Wadebridge that James seemed to fancy. These two always came back to the fact that they were each other's True North."
I laughed, recalling a time when James and Emily were teens. Luke had traded parishes with our vicar for a month or so and so our families were together again for an extended time that summer. James must have been fourteen and that would have meant Emily was 15.
"What is funny Louisa?"
"Do you remember the summer you were here for a month? I remember Joan telling me one night that she thought James and Emily would marry someday."
"I had forgotten that. She would only have been 10 or so at the time."
"Yes, she came in giggling because she had seen James and Emily snogging behind the garden shed. Well, later that night we were having a mother daughter cuddle and she told me, 'Mum, I think James and Emily will get married.' All I said at the time was, 'No time soon I hope.'"
"Mothers-in-law together. I can't think of anyone else I would want to be with in this deal Louisa. They are with you so you had better be ready for some news and talking. Luk wants me to go visit some parishioners together so I need to grab a shower and get ready. Call me tomorrow, promise?"
"Sure. We are going to be talking a lot I think. Bye Natalie."
Natalie's words could not have been more prophetic. After supper, Emily said she wanted to talk so we took a walk. We found a bench looking over the harbour.
It was a beautiful evening and the sun would soon kiss the sea. We just sat together and took in the peaceful scene. Suddenly without fanfare Emily said, "Louisa, I want to marry James and I want your blessing."
"Well, Emily, usually the boy asks the girl's father for her hand in marriage. Yet, you are asking me."
"James will talk with my dad, I'm sure. But hang tradition. I will be taking your son. Your family is so special to me. No, you are special to me and it is only right that I ask your permission. It would mean a lot if you say yes."
"Tell, me Emily, when did James propose to you? I would love to hear about that."
"This will surprise you but there was none of the down-on-the-knee stuff. Actually I told James I wanted to marry him when we were 14. You know that summer when we were here? A lot has happened but somehow it has always been there. We are at a place now where it it possible and we have both allowed our hearts and heads to say a big yes to each other. There is a lot to work out, but that little boy I used to fight with is the man I want to spend my life with."
"Emily, I couldn't be happier. Of course you have my blessing." Of course I could not voice that with dry eyes, and we hugged each other. It was a seal-the-deal hard and long hug"
We allowed our selves to relax from our embrace and Emily said, "You know I used to ask Mom how you could know if a person was the right one to marry. She told me a lot but she said there was one thing that was really important. She said to pay attention to how his father treats his wife. I have watched how Dr. Ellingham cares for you and talks to you. I know what Mom meant. I want to be treated like that."
"We have had a lot to work out in our relationship Emily, but I can tell you I do feel cared for and cherished. Martin is a good husband. I am very lucky. You know I am curious, does James know we are having this conversation?"
"No. He will eventually, but it was important to me for this to be just between us first. Mom never had a sister until you came along. You are really like sisters. I want to be able to talk with you like I talk with Mom. I thought the way to begin that was to invite you into my most personal and intimate concern, your son! I wish my words could convey my feelings for him."
"Emily, words can never convey the depth of our emotions. Our eyes can though and your eyes have been talking to me since you arrived. Tonight your heart has overflowed and covered your words completely.
"One more thing Emily. You can always come to me about anything but I will not pry or interfere in your private affairs. I am a doting mother and I know I am very capable of meddling. But I have to say, to have another daughter that I can dote over - well I...I...I am absolutely just chuffed to bits."
"Oh, Louisa, thank you. Thank you so much."
Darkness was finally settling in and we sat for awhile longer. Finally I said, "Emily, I am very happy for you and James. A lot to talk about I think, but it can wait until tomorrow. You must be really tired after your hike today."
"Yes, how do you say it? I am quite knackered. Let's walk back and see what the men are up to."
So we slowly made our way back to the house. As we walked I wondered if these cobblestones had a memory. Did these stones sense all of the times I went out of my way to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic but very handsome man who I would one day call my husband? Could they have known the nights I noticed the light go out at the surgery, having wondered what Martin was doing. Did they recall the night prying eyes could be seen through cracked shades as a very pregnant lady made her way to a room at the pub? Did they know that night that she had never felt that depth of despair? Did they remember all the times I covered them walking to the school, many of those years with my children by my side? Do they sense the pride I feel now when Martin clasps my hand as we walk through town together?
The stones almost seem to whisper, "Yes, Dear Child, we remember it all, and more."
It was fun remembering when Emily and James were teens. They must have really had fun that summer. Roger Fenn certainly noticed. James took guitar lessons from him.
One day I met Roger on the street and he made mention of James being a bit star-struck with a certain visitor from America. "Ahh, teenage love Louisa, what a thing to behold! You know I think of it as an outward inexpressibility of inward alloverishness." We laughed warmly and maybe both thought of being young again.
No probably not. Who would want to replay that?
Yet, replay it is exactly what Martin and I did it seems. We were like a couple of teens full of fear and insecurity and not a few butterflies in the stomach. For kids there is time. Time to fail. Time to kiss and make up. Time to fail and find another.
Martin and I did not have that luxury. Time was not on our side. I think both, and I am sure I, felt that we might not have another chance at love like this. What if we failed? Even if there were another chance with another person, would one have the emotional energy to invest in another go at a relationship? Maybe not. So were we desperate? I don't know. The one thing I do know is that looking back, there was never again to be a love like ours. And there is not a love like ours. Every loving couple can say it. And it is true for each one.
We climbed the final hill to our house and the kitchen light was on. Emily and I walked in on our two men, and said, "Hey, you two. What have you been up to?"