The next morning the couple was awakened by knocking on the front door. Grumbling, Martin climbed out of bed and marched downstairs, flinging open the door. "Sorry Doc," Bert Large huffed. "It's my Jenny you see," he said as he pulled the woman closer. "She's cut herself and the bleeding won't stop." To prove his point Bert held her arm up for Martin's inspection.

Martin spied the gash on her arm and the blood pouring from it and immediately turned in search of a receptacle for the bile rising in his throat. The reception trash bin was closest and he lunged for it as Bert scooted Jenny through reception to the consulting room. Once his stomach quieted, Martin went to the kitchen for a drink of water and then to his office to tend to his patient.

Just as he finished dressing Jenny's wound after stitching it, he heard James crying. When it continued, Martin became alarmed. He finished quickly and left Bert and Jenny as he rushed up the steps.

Martin opened the door to James' room fearing what he might find on the other side. James was standing in his cot, clinging to the sides, red faced and bawling. Martin scooped him up and went in search of Louisa. James quieted as they went into the bedroom, even though he was fidgeting. "Louisa," Martin said softly as he stepped into the room. She wasn't in the bed. He stepped to the bathroom door and knocked, "Louisa?" Nothing.

Martin opened the door and relaxed. Louisa was in the tub, the water tap on, slowly filling the tub with water, her eyes closed as she hummed. "Louisa?" Martin spoke softly again.

Despite his soft tone, Louisa was startled. "Martin?"

"You didn't hear James? He was crying."

Louisa looked from his face to their son, a small smile on her face. "I recall a time when you would have let him cry."

"Yes…well, perhaps that was….wrong. He was very upset."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I thought I might have time to get a soak in before he woke. I suppose I didn't hear him with the water running."

"Oh, right. We'll …er …um…we'll go down….breakfast…" He closed the door with a grimace. Realizing that James probably needed a change, he went back to James' room where the nappy was changed. Then the two Ellingham men, as Louisa called them, went down to the kitchen.

By the time Louisa appeared, James had been fed and Martin had prepared eggs and toast for the two of them. She smiled as she sat at the table, enjoying her husband's care.

They ate quietly but as they were cleaning up afterwards, Louisa asked Martin if he had plans for the day. "Plans? No, I erm… no….no plans."

Louisa looked at him oddly, he thought, as she dried the last of the dishes. He dared not ask her why. She had something in mind, no doubt. "I'll, um….just go up and… erm….dress," he said awkwardly. He chided himself all the way upstairs for being so tongue-tied around Louisa.

Louisa and James were in the sitting room when Martin descended a few minutes later, freshly showered and ready for the day. Louisa looked up from James and smiled at Martin. "I thought we might go into Truro today if that's alright. James needs some new clothes; his snaps keep popping on the ones he has." Martin looked down at James, who was seated on a mat on the floor playing with a shape sorter. It was intriguing, watching the boy as he endeavored to put the block through the hole on top. It took him several tries but James discovered the correct cut out and dropped the small cube through. He looked up at his mother for reassurance, which she gave so easily. Martin sighed; he doubted his own mother ever took pleasure in anything he did, especially such a small thing as that. Yet, Martin knew that developmentally, it really wasn't such a small thing for James. As he watched the simple beauty of his wife and son, Martin felt a wave of gratitude sweep through him that Louisa would let him be a part of this picture. Louisa looked back up at him, her head tilted and her eyes questioning. "Martin?"

"Erm…yes?" he replied softly.

"Are you alright? You…there are tears in your eyes."

He swallowed as he tried to bring his emotions under control. "Yes, I'm alright."

She stood and stepped toward him, her hand reaching up to touch his face and wipe away the errant tears. "Are you certain because …"

He swallowed again and said, "It was such a lovely moment, just then…you with James. I… I was thinking what a lucky boy he is to have you as his mother and…" He swallowed again.

"And?"

"And I am very lucky to have you both," he finally concluded.

She smiled as her posture relaxed. "Thank you for that. James and I are also very lucky, Martin. You are an extraordinary man and you are learning to be a fantastic dad and …"

Fear gripped Martin as she hesitated. She was having difficulty with saying he was a good husband. He knew he was rubbish at it but he'd hoped his efforts were making a difference, that she could see he was trying.

"…an amazing husband," she finally finished as she leaned against him with her arm going around him in a hug.

"No I'm not," he replied bluntly, although his arms were encircling her.

"Mmmm, I disagree." She straightened up to kiss him on his neck, just above his shirt collar. "And I could also include lover in that," she teased.

Martin bristled then. "Louisa! How can you say that? I'm not…not at all. I know how awkward I am and …inconsiderate and… rubbish; I'm just rubbish!"

Louisa leaned back, a frown creasing her forehead. "Don't you dare speak about my husband in that way!"

"What?"

"My husband is amazing. Yeah, he's gruff and rude but not as much as he once was and certainly not with me; well, most of the time anyway. And he …you are quite the lover, Martin; when you let yourself be. You're so gentle and loving and … and you make me feel like I'm the most desirable woman in the world. Women like that, you know.

Martin stared at her in disbelief. "But you are…" he exclaimed.

She stared at him, "I'm what?"

He felt so confused, so out of his element but Martin forged ahead. "You are the most desirable woman on earth…at least as far as I'm concerned. God Louisa, do you not realize how beautiful you are?" A memory flashed in his mind and he decided to share it with her. "Not long after I came here…when Mark Mylow was here. Do you remember when he thought you …erm…fancied him? He came to me because…well, I can't talk about my patients but," Martin sighed. "He asked me if I had ever watched the way you move. It was easy to tell he was enamored with you and enjoyed watching you as much as I did; still do. All these years, all my stumbling through conversations with you…saying the most ridiculous things; it was because I'm always so flustered around you. I can't think straight when you are near me and the wrong thing always come out of my mouth. I've never known anyone as lovely as you, Louisa. And here we are married and ..and…I can't understand what it is you see in me."

"Oh Martin," she breathed as she crashed into him, her good arm claiming him with ferocity. Her lips were on his, eager and demanding. A very confused Martin reveled in her, accepting her kiss and returning it with equal fervor. Babbling from James reminded them that they were not alone and they separated reluctantly, their arms dropping. Louisa couldn't quite break the connection though and let her hand slide down Martin's arm, claiming his hand. Their eyes met and for once, Martin let all that he was feeling show through, his eyes soft with adoration. Louisa opened her mouth as if to speak but James chose that instant to squeal and throw his cube at them, hitting Martin's arm.

Startled, Martin turned to glare at his son as Louisa went to him. "Oh no you don't, you cheeky little man," she admonished cheerfully. "Your Mummy and Daddy were having a rare moment and you don't get to interrupt those."

Martin scowled. "Why not? Everyone else in this bloody village seems to take special satisfaction in interrupting us." He watched as Louisa picked up James while shooting him a dour look. "Truro then?" The corners of Martin's eyes crinkled. "Yes, right."