Thanks thanks thanks! Your reviews are a fundamental incentive to publish on this malfunctioning site.

I have sorted out the files and in total the story will have 25 chapters. I'd like to publish them all before Christmas, because it's a great time to conclude this adventure. This means I will have to post twice a week instead of once to finish on time.

All rights belong to Buffalo Pictures.

Chapter 19

She woke up with a start and struggled to understand where she was... but then she saw Martin lying in that bed between pipes and machinery and was assailed by despair. It was still dark outside… while her life was suspended in time, waiting for her husband to open his eyes. She got up to take a drink of water. She let out all the air she had and put a hand over her eyes.

She didn't care how…but she wanted Martin home…with her. They would overcome every test, even the most difficult. In sickness and in health…but together.

She sank back into the chair, drifting between states of wakefulness and sleep until the morning, when a nurse came in to tell her that the doctor was coming to see the patient and inviting her to go and have something hot to drink.

She waited in the room from the day before, sipping a bitter coffee from the dispenser.

Around nine o'clock Chris arrived, with Ruth and her mother. She updated them on the situation… which had not changed.

Ruth put a hand on her shoulder...she was tired, even if she tried to maintain her composure.

"At least he made it through the night, dear. My nephew is stubborn, you know, he will fight like a lion to get back to you, I'm sure of it."

Louisa shook her head.

«He's full of cuts… scratches and bandages… my poor Martin…» she dissolved into tears and Eleanor held her in her arms until she calmed down a little.

"Why don't you come home and get some rest, Loulou? It would be good for you..."

«No…I don't want…I'm not leaving if he doesn't wake up first.» she stated firmly.

«Just a little, darling, you could come back in the afternoon…»

«No, I don't want him to open his eyes and not see me next to him...or to die alone...» her voice trembled and she burst into tears again.

Her mother sighed and caressed her face.

"As you like."

"How are the children?" she tried to recover.

"Well. I asked Janice to look after them this morning." she handed Louisa a bag.

«I brought you some change…I figured you wouldn't move from here…and also some sandwiches and biscuits.»

Louisa thanked her warmly…she really needed more clothes.

«Maybe you can change in the bathroom…I'll come with you.» her mother suggested.

«I have a better idea…» Chris interjected «…follow me.»

He led them through a corridor to a changing room.

«You can change here... it's where the doctors change. Don't worry, I asked permission."

"Thanks, Chris."

«Ah…» he waved his hand in the air.

When they left, he led them back towards the lounge, stopping for a moment to reappear a few minutes later with four large paper cups, full of steaming tea.

«I prepared them in the staff break room... they are better than those from the distributor.» he offered them to the ladies.

Louisa immediately took a sip and her body felt a little better as the hot drink radiated its heat.

Around mid-morning the doctor came in to inform them that there was no news on Martin's health compared to the previous evening.

Louisa asked the doctor if her aunt could see him for a few minutes and he agreed. She looked at her and the older woman nodded her head.

When she returned, she was quite shaken and her eyes were red. Louisa got up and went to hug her.

«Poor Martin…» she heard her murmur dejectedly. «My poor nephew…»

Around lunchtime, she sent everyone home.

«There is no point in you staying here….Ruth you would do well to rest, I suspect you have had very little sleep…Chris, you have a job and a family…and you, mum…I need to know that you are with my children while I'm not there. I'll be fine. There's an armchair in Martin's room and I'll sit there."

They knew Louisa had made up her mind and they wouldn't convince her to rest…so they obeyed.

She greeted them and thanked them. Left alone, she forced herself to eat one of the sandwiches prepared by her mother and returned to her husband's room.

She walked over and held his cold hand for a while, kissing his cheek.

«Open your eyes, my love… please…» she murmured.

She walked around the bed, placed the purse her mother had brought her on the window and sat down in the armchair.

She remembered that her phone, documents and house keys were at the bottom of the sea…along with Martin's car.

Her eyes burned and she closed them. She looked for her husband's hand lying on sheets and squeezed it slowly... while other images and moments of her started dancing in her head again.

Martin went down to the living room, after putting James to bed. He found his wife on the couch with her legs folded next to her and her eyes red.

"Louisa, are you okay?"

"Yes, Martin." she reassured him with a sniff. She had an album sitting on her lap and held out her hand for him to take.

"Come here." she pulled him down to sit next to her and snuggled into him as he raised his arm over her shoulder.

"I was looking at the photos of our newborn son…he was so small and sweet…" tears flooded her eyes again.

Martin...as usual...didn't know how to react in that type of situation, other than handing her his handkerchief. It was probably the hormones… she was in her fifth month of pregnancy and from the beginning he had noticed that she had become particularly prone to emotion.

"Good thing he's grown up or you would have had a hard time looking after two little kids." he commented at the end in a very matter-of-fact manner.

Louisa sighed, ignoring his words. She closed the album, placed it on the table in front of her and wrapped her arms around his chest, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I'm glad we're together this time." she kissed his neck and held him tighter.

"I'm happy to be there too." he admitted.

They were silent for a few moments.

"Martin?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry I didn't call you straight away when I found out I was pregnant in London."

«Okay...it's over.» he murmured sympathetically.

She sighed in confusion.

«I was still upset about the missed wedding and I was afraid of facing you too soon... and then... the more time passed, the less I found the courage to contact you.»

«Why on earth were you afraid of me? I would have taken my responsibilities and..."

«I was afraid of your reaction…that you would be angry or that you wouldn't want a child…especially from me.»

"What?" he pulled his head back to look at her.

«Or that you didn't believe he was yours…» she added with a small pout.

"I wouldn't have questioned your word…just as I didn't when you knocked on my door the night you came back." he replied offended.

"It is true…"

«And I could have done it, since I didn't know anything about you during the time you were gone. It was perfectly plausible that you could have had another relationship in those months..."

"Then why didn't you doubt?" she urged, glaring at him with some annoyance.

Martin immediately opened his mouth to respond in kind, but stopped. He lowered his head and breathed.

"Because you're not the kind of woman who would lie about something like that…and I trusted you."

Louisa looked at him tenderly.

«Thank you, Martin. It's nice that you think so."

«Mhmm.»

«Anyway, sorry, I was wrong not to come back immediately.»

«Just as I made a mistake in not coming to look for you…or to call you.»

"Would you have liked to do that?"

"Yes, but I thought you were probably going to kick me out."

She kissed his cheek.

«It's not certain…I would have appreciated the gesture…maybe…»

«I would still be kicking myself for the night you came back…letting the mother of my child go sleep in a pub and face the pregnancy alone…this was and is unforgivable.» he huffed annoyed at himself.

«Well…if I remember correctly…you had guests…and anyway I told you I didn't want your help.»

"Guests? Edith? Bah..." he straightened up, frowning. «I had to send her away and convince you to stay and talk and… reach an agreement.»

"A deal?" she raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed.

«Oh okay…I had to tell you that I still loved you, that you had to stay with me and that I would take care of you and our son…without hesitation…I just had to say it.»

He looked up shyly at his wife.

"If I had…would you have come back with me, Louisa?"

"I think yes. That's what I was hoping to hear when I knocked, actually. I was alone... without a job and without a home... it didn't seem right to come back into your life like that and expect you to help me, but... I would have accepted.»

She smiled at him so as not to give too much weight to those memories.

"Instead I pretended to be self-sufficient and didn't need you, so we argued and ruined everything…as usual."

«Yeah…I'm sorry.» he added seriously.

«We'll do better this time…we're already doing it.»

"Yes."

Martin rested his cheek against her forehead.

«What did you think when you realized I was pregnant? »

«Well… I was very surprised… I thought that the woman I loved was in front of me and would give me a child… and it thrilled me and scared me at the same time, but… I wanted you.» he kissed the top of her head. «Even when we talked about another child, in reality my answer would immediately have been a convinced "yes"… because what I feel for you, makes me instinctively want to have children with you. It may not be scientific or logical, but I can't explain it any better."

«I understand very well, that's what I feel too. Of course, I went back to study, I wasn't getting any younger and I had a thousand doubts, but... in my heart, I wanted another child of yours.»

«And you, as soon as you heard about James, what did you think?»

«My first reaction was happiness, absolutely. I loved him immediately and I believed that, even if his father hadn't wanted us, at least I would always have something of him..." she raised her face. "…of you."

He bent down to kiss her softly.

"And the second?"

«Fear for the complicated situation I found myself in.»

"If only I had been by your side, instead of scolding you and shouting nonsense, Louisa…"

"You are there now. You are making this pregnancy so much easier and more enjoyable. I assure you that I am enjoying every moment."

"Well." his features finally relaxed.

Without thinking, Martin gently placed his hand on her rounded belly, as he had learned to do. At first he needed his wife's encouragement, then he hesitantly tried. The feeling that that gesture gave him... of hope... of tenderness... of intimacy with Louisa... soon made him more confident, to the point of repeating it often and naturally.

"I feel her." the man's face lit up. "I feel the little girl move."

"She already knows you're her dad and she talks back to you." she smiled and placed her hand on his…

She woke up an hour later and first checked Martin, but saw no changes. Staring partly out the window and partly at her husband, it arrived and passed dinner time. She left the room to call home. Eleanor recommended that she eat at least one sandwich, assuring her that the children were fine. She passed James to say hello and he placed the phone next to Mary making her laugh. Louisa put her hand to her mouth to stifle her sobs as she heard her daughter's small laughter. Provoked by her brother, she gurgled and stammered her name happily.

She returned to Martin with a heavy heart... the idea that the children could lose their father was heartbreaking.

It was dark outside again and she settled into the armchair with the blanket over her legs. She leaned her head sideways on the backrest, toward Martin, and took his hand.

"For a long time I thought you were the cause of our problems. Damn…I wanted you for years…I tried to get your attention in every way, but you could never bring yourself to speak clearly. I also convinced myself that you don't like me at all."

Louisa hoped he could hear her and continued.

«Then you gave me those adoring looks… you remained stunned staring at me without saying anything… and I went crazy because I wanted more.» she kissed his arm.

«After we kissed for the first time...in the taxi...I really hoped that our story could finally have a happy ending...instead we clashed on every topic and I thought that we couldn't have a future if you didn't change yours grumpy and rude character.

Then I got pregnant... but the relationship between us seemed impossible between accusations and recriminations and I didn't understand the reason for all that difficulty, because I loved you. I loved you." she sighed.

«Even after marriage, I felt like a stranger who imposed herself in your life and I suffered because you kept me away from you... from your feelings... and instead of coming to you and being patient, I ran away.» she shook her head.

«I ran away... because I was afraid of depending on you... afraid that you would leave me and disappoint me... but you could never disappoint me. You will always do everything you can for me and the children. I've learned that I like depending on you...that it's nice and comforting to let you take care of me and that this doesn't make me weak or needy. Because we complete each other... we care about the good of our family and we help and support each other out of the simple desire to make the other happy. »

She caressed his hand…waiting for a signal from him.

«Don't leave me Martin. You are part of me…you are the love of my life.»

She fell asleep crying in silence and it was another troubled night, in which there were long moments of wakefulness and shorter moments of sleep.

they were lying on their sides, facing each other, and looking into each other's eyes. Louisa lazily touched his shin with her foot.

She had laid down for a nap that Saturday afternoon because she was feeling a little tired. James was at Ruth's and they would both be back for dinner. He liked being with her great aunt... he said she knew a lot of things and was nice.

Martin had entered the room and started taking off his jacket and tie.

"Weren't you reading?"

"Yes, but now I don't feel like it anymore." he replied distractedly. Then he approached bed, taking off his shoes and lay down in front of her.

«I had forgotten the tiredness of the first few weeks.»

"Luckily you no longer work at school and you have time to rest."

Martin awkwardly reached out a hand to her belly. He just felt a slight swelling.

Louisa looked at him in surprise…it was the first time he had done it without her encouraging him.

He looked up and noticed her perplexity, so he immediately withdrew his hand.

«Sorry…I should have asked first.»

"What? No Martin, you don't have to ask." she grabbed his hand and placed it back on her belly. «You can do it whenever you like, it doesn't bother me, on the contrary... it's kind of you and it makes me feel good.»

He looked down. The idea that a child was growing in there… his son… made him… euphoric. If only he could prove it, for once.

"You don't need my permission to touch me or caress me or anything else. You know that, Martin."

"It's just that…" he stopped.

She touched his lips with a kiss.

"Go ahead."

"It's just that these things don't come…naturally to me."

"No, it seems not."

«Sometimes I think of... I want to address an affectionate gesture... to you or to James... but I can hardly do it.»

«It's a shame, you know. You miss out on some very pleasant sensations."

«I guess so, but…» he hesitated uncomfortably «…I…I don't know how to do it.» he admitted in a breath.

«It's silly, I know Louisa, but… I can't do it. I look awkward and ridiculous."

"Oh no, don't even think that." she came closer to him «As you say... it doesn't come naturally to you, but you shouldn't be ashamed of it. If I insist on encouraging you in this sense, it is because I think that physical demonstrations of affection are good for both those who give them and those who receive them. They help share joy or provide comfort, but if you don't feel like it... that's okay too.»

«No, don't get me wrong. I actually really like it when you touch me or hug me, more than I'm capable of admitting…it makes me feel…human, like I'm entitled to it too." his voice was thin and intimidated.

Louisa was shocked at those words.

"Of course you are human, Martin, and of course you have the right." she cleared her throat and returned to a calmer tone.

«I believe that... you know, I'm studying very interesting topics, which make me reflect, even about myself. Children who do not receive attention from their mothers obviously tend to have low self-esteem... and if they do not receive affection, even physical affection, then they may find themselves having difficulty being affectionate as adults. In some cases, they can develop a real aversion to physical contact."

Martin looked down again.

"I'm a clinical case, then." he murmured.

«No, I'm making a general statement. From what little I know and after meeting your mother, you can't deny that your relationship was…complicated."

"Yes." he admitted, sighing heavily.

«So you have difficulties in this sense… you said so too… but you can learn, I'm sure of it.»

"How?"

«Slowly…letting you go. Hug and kiss when you feel like it. It will still feel strange at first, but then you'll get used to it and won't even realize it anymore."

"I feel like an idiot."

"But you're not, Martin. You are the best man I know."

She touched the tip of his nose with her index finger and slid it across his lips to his chin.

«And yet…when we are alone…it doesn't seem to me that you have any difficulty in…»

"What."

«… to do to me all those things you do to me when…» she kissed him softly on the mouth «… when we make love.» she whispered with a smirk.

«Uhmm…no…» he saw her blush and squirm nervously «…in that case, no.»

«It's strange…don't you think?»

«No, actually…» he swallowed «…in that situation it's normal to lose your…brakes.»

«I understand… well, however, I am available for your exercises with spontaneous hugs… at any time. If you feel like it, of course."

"I'll try."

Louisa turned onto her back, remaining close to him, unbuttoned her blouse and took his hand again to place it on her bare belly. This time he was more relaxed.

"You'll see when he starts moving, Martin…you'll be able to feel his little feet under your fingers."

He caressed her softly and she turned to look at him.

«Do you prefer another boy or would you like a girl this time?»

"I don't have a preference…as long as you and him…or her…are okay."

He stared at her with his usual adoring eyes... liquid and amazed.

«Do me a favor, Martin…every time you feel the urge to make an affectionate gesture…do it, don't worry about how you may appear. Look…if you want…let's establish a signal, any one, and I'll take the initiative until you get used to it…but don't give up those moments with your children…or with me.»

He smiled shyly at her.

"Okay, Louisa, I'll try."

They remained silent, savoring that moment between the two of them. A few minutes later, Martin moved closer. He slipped one arm between her shoulders and the mattress and wrapped his other around her, pulling her towards him. He put one leg behind her knees and squeezed her, making her fit against his body.

"Are you uncomfortable?"

"Not at all." Louisa's face rested between his shoulder and his neck.

"Well." he held her tighter, almost as if he wanted to merge with her.

"I like it when you hold me like that." she hugged him back.

Martin smiled slightly and rubbed her back until she fell asleep.

In the morning Ruth and Eleanor arrived, accompanied by Penhale, and stayed until lunchtime.

Martin's condition was stable, but unchanged.

After eating one of the sandwiches her mother had just brought, she returned to her husband. Around mid-afternoon, a nurse notified her that Chris had arrived.

She joined him in the waiting room and they talked for a while about Martin's condition. He asked him about the complications he might have, his condition and, finally, what his opinion was about him as a doctor.

«Well, Louisa... it's always difficult to give precise indications in these cases. There are many factors to consider." he gently placed a hand on her arm.

«As a doctor, I have seen people in far more desperate conditions than his recover. Martin is a strong man, has excellent health and loves you, so doesn't stop hoping. He can do it and I wish with all my heart that he can do it."

Before leaving, Chris asked her to wait a moment and walked away. She returned shortly after with a plastic bottle.

«It's eye drops. I noticed your red and tired eyes, I think they burn too…so…here you go. It will help you."

"You're a good friend, Chris."

Louisa thanked him, greeted him with a brief hug and returned to the room.

The next morning there was still no news. Her mother brought her more sandwiches and change. This time it was Al and Morwenna who accompanied her and Ruth. The day passed the same as the previous two.

Around mid-afternoon, Louisa awoke from a short, tormented nap. She realized that Martin's hand that she held in her hand was trying to move. She jumped up.

«Martin…open your eyes.» she caressed his cheek. "Open your eyes, please."

She noticed a rapid movement of his eyelashes and felt his fingers twitch.

«Martin…»

The man opened his eyes slowly and closed them for a moment, before looking up at the ceiling again.

«Martin...» she whispered excitedly.

Her husband turned his head slightly in her direction and stared at her. She had one eye swollen and a little closed, but seeing the blue of his gaze again stopped her breathing. She released his hand and he took it back, squeezing softly.

Martin opened his mouth to speak, but could only mumble a "what…".

Louisa briefly explained to him where he was and what had happened, then ran to get a doctor.

While she was waiting for him to visit him, Chris and his wife Helen arrived. Louisa went towards them smiling.

"He woke up!" she hugged the man. She told them how it had happened and immediately called Ruth, then her mother.

Half an hour later the doctor came out and gave her an overview of the situation.

«Your husband's condition is stable. He is alert and conscious. He responds to stimuli and shows that he understands his situation. The vital parameters are good and we hope that everything proceeds this way. In the next few hours we will subject him to other analyzes and tests to evaluate his conditions and any possible consequences, but I am confident that he should not experience any problems details."

Louisa clasped her hands to her chest happily.

"Can I see him now?"

«Yes, but only for a few minutes. He still needs peace and rest to recover."

Louisa walked in, while a nurse checked the drips and left with a nod.

Martin watched her approach and raised a hand which she took in hers.

"How do you feel?"

He blinked softly and spoke, but she had to lean over to hear him.

«Bad… head… and side… all… weak, but it's fine.» he whispered.

She smiled at him.

"Be patient, my love, you will get better soon." she caressed his cheek.

Martin continued to stare at her in disorientation, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

"Children." he barely whispered.

«They're fine, my mother is taking care of them... she came specially from Spain... and Chris is outside, with Helen... they were all worried about you. I just called Ruth and she says hello. She will come tomorrow."

He shook her hand.

"Chris."

«Yes…Chris…he came to the hospital immediately as soon as he found out…»

«No…Chris…I want to see him.»

Louisa was a little surprised by the request, but didn't object…perhaps he wanted a more professional report on his health.

"I'll ask the doctor if it's possible."

She went out to call Chris and, having obtained permission, the man entered. He briefly briefed him on his prognosis and his values, but Martin raised his hand to get his attention.

"Take Louisa home, please." he whispered. He stared at him decisively and his friend understood.

«Yes, don't worry, I'll do it right away.»

"Thank you."

Chris didn't stay any longer, he had noticed that Martin was very tired.

Back in the waiting room, he tried to persuade Louisa to return to her children, but she resisted. Only when he explained to her that his request came from her husband did the woman agree.

'You must rest anyway, Louisa. He is better now and will be calmer knowing that you are home with the children. You've asked a lot of yourself these days and I think he's noticed it too."

She managed to go and say hello to him for a few minutes.

«I'll go then, Martin...»

"Yes."

"I'll be back tomorrow morning."

«No…they'll do the tests…come in the afternoon.»

He was worrying about her…even lying in a hospital bed…groggy and in pain…he thought about her first. Louisa felt her tears pricking her eyes, but she tried not to cry.

"I'll do as you wish, Martin."

She shook his hand and gently stroked his arm and shoulder, leaning close to his face.

«Thanks for waking up…» she murmured «…I wouldn't have known what to do without you.» she kissed him softly on the cheek. "I love you, Martin."

He took her hand in his, looking at her excitedly.

"I love you too, Louisa."

«See you tomorrow…will you wait for me?»

"Yes."