Chapter 15

The Wicked Witch makes Demands

"Suddenly the lights go out

Let forever drag me down

I will fight for one last breath

I will fight until the end

And I will find the enemy within

Because I can feel it crawl beneath my skin…"

-Breakin Benjamin, 'Dear Agony'-

My aunts and I enter the offices of Alistair Cummings exactly at ten the next morning, with my mother's appearance scheduled at eleven. The prior evening upon our return we went over the finer details of our plan; Ruth and I will take the lead with Joan, as she put it, my defender when Margaret gets out of hand.

There isn't much my mother can say that I haven't already heard from her so I'm not worried about being hurt today. I remind myself of the words Doctor Hayes gave me over the past year when the nightmares were a constant problem, his most potent words reminding me of what kind of person mother is… self-absorbed, no matter who the child was she wouldn't have loved them… self-centered, she is absorbed with herself… selfish, she only thinks of her own pleasure and self-satisfaction. These words perfectly described the egotistical Margaret Ellingham. His other reminder is in the room with me, sitting next to me as my defender… Joan, who in my mind is the only mother I have.

I know that I am loved; the love of the most beautiful woman and my two aunts. Louisa the first person that chose to get to know me, to really know me deep down, understands why I am the way I am and tries to help me with her love.

My mind drifts from the present to last evening after our stroll, after our conversation with the aunts. We enter our bedroom, Louisa looks over to where Phillip's cot is no longer and quickly looks my way,

"I asked Poppy to have it moved to Joan's room tonight so we don't wake him with our activities," I say with a boyish look and pleading with my eyes that she is not angry with my decision.

We will spend the latter part of the evening together in our room cuddling, first I plan on exploring Louisa's body unlike I have at any time in the past, a new experience for both of us. I switch on the lamp near the door clicking the switch on its lowest setting; it will provide just enough light for me. I close our door and walk over to Louisa,

"I thought we would start with a warm shower to help you relax."

She smiles, "What else do you plan for us," she asks as I take her into my arms, planting kisses along her neck then up to her lips, where I kiss her deeply.

"You enjoyed the warm shower together last week and I undoubtedly liked it so I thought we would start there."

Giving her that horny smile, I gently start to undress her, by reaching around her, my hands find the zip while my lips find the notch of her neck. As the dress slides down her body, I follow it with my lips kissing different areas of her body. She steps out of her dress and I take it as I quickly jerk my arms out of my suit jacket. I toss both items onto the chair as her hands are pulling on my tie knot sliding it from around my neck and handing it to me. I remove my suit trousers tossing them with the other clothing. She hands me her last item left on the floor, her shoes. I quickly remove my socks tossing them onto our shoes and walk her into an embrace again reaching around her slim body for the hooks of her lacey bra, slowly unhooking it, allowing the garment to fall to the floor. I step back to admire her body. My look brings a giggle to her face, stepping up to her again I place another kiss on each nipple before I take her hand and lead her to the shower.

The warm water cascades over our bodies, together we are touching. I lather her body with her bath soap, the smell of it sends my mind to remember our many times together over the past year. I slide my hands over her body, stopping only long enough to entice a sigh from her lips. As I rinse her I place little kisses over her body bringing about more contented sighs. Stepping onto the bath mat, I gently towel her with the warm towel and take her to our bed. I help Louisa into the middle of the bed and onto her front side. I locate the package I had delivered earlier this afternoon and find my phone opening the playlist of Bach's Cello Suites * that I love ensuring the volume is set low. I have massaged her before in her later stages of pregnancy so I am knowledgeable in the techniques required but tonight my technique will be more sensual. Taking the items out of the package I place them alongside Louisa's back. I catch her watching me as I gather the last few things I need, finally, I am ready. I crawl onto the bed next to her, taking my first item and placing it over her eyes, kissing her neck, and whisper in her ear the reasons I love her and want her. I open the jar of massage oil scented with lavender, placing some in my hands; I rub my hands together to warm them along with the oil. Starting with gentle pressure I start on her lower gluteus maximus upward through and over the gluteus medius to the center of her spine as females typically have a wider pelvis than males to allow for childbirth and as Louisa has given birth to Phillip, her femininity is of a wider-shaped derriere, that I dearly love. My even pressure with my palms, rubbing in long strokes along her body releasing tension from the muscles, pulls a moan from Louisa, "I'm not hurting you, am I," I ask.

"No, it feels wonderful," she says through her moan.

"Good," I say as I continue my way down her thigh, massaging gently up towards her bum; I work my way down her leg finishing lastly on her foot, especially the very rear of the heal. Applying pressure to this pressure point will relieve the pain in her sciatic nerve and lower pelvic region.

I move up next to her upper body, due to Louisa's coccyx injury, I am unable to put pressure onto her lower spine. Maybe after we see Doctor Gee, he will give me some pointers to help Louisa with relaxing massages in this area. I take her left arm rubbing with my thumbs along the anterior compartment of her upper arm in long strokes on the biceps brachii, brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles; the moans of relief from Louisa stirs my inner feelings in me. Just knowing the pleasure of relaxation I am providing to her gives me pleasure. I finish the upper arm on the posterior compartment with the triceps brachii and anconeus. Rewarming my hands once again with oil I move along Louisa's forearm starting with the superficial layer of muscles, then the intermediate layer, relaxing the muscles that flex some of her fingers of her hand. Lastly, I apply long strokes to her deep compartment as I engage each area, knowing the anatomy as I do the kisses of her hand will send an extra sensation to her brain. Finally, I move to her wrist stroking with my thumbs toward each finger; working each finger from the tip towards the thumb, gently pinching the tip, between the knuckles, releasing more of her tension. Flipping her palm up I use circular motions to relax her hand fully, these same circular motions are the ones I use on her daily when we hold hands and I know she needs to relax.

I lean over and kiss her lips, pulling on her lower lip to deepen our kiss; I gently ask her to relax and I move to her other side and start my sensual massage over again. When I have completed this side, I kiss her neck, lips, and cheeks as I remove the blindfold finally finishing my kisses upon her eyes and forehead. I remove the items I used from the bed, take the extra pillow placing it between her knees and pull the covers back up over her before sliding up behind her cuddling close. I wrap myself around her as I continue to lay kisses upon her neck and shoulders. I bring my lips finally up to her ear,

"Louisa, I love you and I love showing you my love for you. I take pleasure being allowed to touch you," I whisper.

"Martin that was wonderful… you are truly the master in our bed and I appreciate all the love you give me."

Our bodies meld into each other and I find myself satisfied and contented falling into restful sleep cuddling close supporting my wife.

Joan's elbow brings my mind back into the room, as I look around I see the perturbed expression on Joan's face and Ruth with a knowing smirk, "Martin if you are done daydreaming Alistair asks for the ground rules of our discussion with your mother."

"She is to know nothing of Phillip's existence or that Louisa is pregnant. The properties will not be discussed with her except to ensure that she has no claims on Joan's farm. Dad's current residence is being sold and the money from the sale will go into the trust. Dad's investments, Shaw and Newcross will not be discussed. She doesn't need any of that information."

"We did have a question on the other property with the resident Dawn Hudson; who is she," Ruth asks.

Alistair is caught unaware of our knowledge of Dawn Hudson and tries to explain what he knows, "Ms. Hudson worked with your father many years ago, I believe before he married your mother. There was a physical relationship between them. The property is one of the first properties he bought over the years for investment purposes. As you know he has bought and sold quite a few while he was married. It was leased out for many years, but about twenty years ago Ms. Hudson took up residence. I do not know any more than that."

"So there are no more surprise offspring that you know of then," inquires Joan.

"No, as far as I know, there are not. While we are on the subject, what do you plan to do with those properties?"

"Newcross' business is stable and doing well, we thought we would continue that arrangement for investment purposes for now. The Shaw property is a different matter; the original reason for the purchase was to support the mother and child. The mother is deceased, the child is now an adult, earning a good income so we've decided he can lease it from the trust or he can purchase the property with the funds going into the trust. You can handle the communication with Mr. Shaw," I state.

"We will need more information on the Hudson property before a decision can be made, again Alistair please investigate the origins and get back with us no later than late summer," Ruth asks.

"Alistair I need to sign an authorization for Ruth to take care of anything you need concerning the trust. It will be difficult for me to travel to London often the rest of this year. If you could draw something together before we leave today," I request.

Ruth touches my hand, looks at me before she turns to Alistair to ask a question that she feels an answer is needed,

"Alistair, I assume Christopher and Margaret's divorce was a normal division of known property. Margaret gave Christopher a condition, that being money, for him to divorce her. I noticed there is no alimony being paid, why is that?"

"No alimony because Margaret wanted out the marriage quickly and the demand for one payment was her request and Christopher agreed to pay her off. She thought her new lover was going to marry her. It seems he is well off. Margaret thought Christopher was broke, just scraping by with the farm being the only asset left."

"That is why there won't be any other discussions concerning my father's will/trust. It is none of her concern what the will contained. She only wants money and that is not acceptable. She chose to have an affair and divorce my father, removing herself from the family duty to her. She didn't like having a son, never cared for the son, and will not bother this Ellingham family again."

The quietness of the room is disturbed by a buzz sounding on Alistair's desk, "Your mother has arrived, are you ready for the showdown," Alistair asks.

I look at my aunts and gain strength from them, "Yes, have her come in."

The door opens and in walks the woman dressed in black, still looking the part of the bereaved widow, her shocked expression to my aunt's presence puts us ahead if a score is kept. Alistair stands along with me, as we are old school rising when a woman walks into a room but it is the last time I will rise for her, when she leaves, I do not plan to be in a room with her again.

"Mrs. Ellingham, please have a seat," Alistair says as he pulls a chair away from the table. She sits down in the offered chair but never takes her eyes off me even as she sheds her black gloves, placing them in her lap.

"May I call you Margaret or do you prefer Mrs. Ellingham," Alistair asks as he shuffles the papers in front of him and closes the file.

"Mrs. Ellingham will be fine."

The sound of Joan's grouse has Ruth grunt and the melancholy of my earlier life seeps into my thoughts.

"Martin has requested this meeting to ensure we are on the same legal view for Christopher's will that is attached to his trust. Martin is the executor of said will and trust, so any decisions he makes are legal and binding. Martin, please explain your decisions."

I clear my throat, like my mother, my eyes have not left her, "The will and trust of Christopher James Ellingham assign the beneficiary to any offspring that I will father. His current residence will be sold and the money received from the sale, minus any fees will go into the said trust. The farm in Cornwall that he was half owner of at one time and is no longer, as it is mine as I paid half of its worth three years ago to him to settle his debt with his wife for their divorce. There is nothing left to discuss concerning the last will and trust of Christopher James Ellingham."

I can see the anger brewing from the woman across the table from me so I wait for the explosion to occur. "Your father had investments, I should receive a share of their worth from the time we were married to the divorce," Margaret states with her first shot across my bow.

I look to Alistair for his reply. "Mrs. Ellingham, if you recall your divorce documents, reaching about the papers on the desk before him, here let me provide you with this copy," he says while he slides the papers across the table. "Christopher's investments were sold to cover the divorce payment. He made a very unwise investment with most of his retirement funds into a golf course that folded and he received less than ten percent of his money back."

She looks ashen as our return shot hits her squarely.

"The farm's value has increased over the last few years and I should have the difference paid to me. My Christopher would have wanted that," she claims.

Once again I look towards Alistair and once again he pulls papers from his folder and slides them over to my mother giving me time to breathe and control the anger that this witch provokes in me.

"Alistair has provided you with a copy of the paperwork of Christopher's sale of his half share of "Haven" Farm to me. You will see that my father's signature is above mine on the sale paperwork." I can tell that her hatred will come out soon; she has no other option.

"Christopher and I were embarrassed having you as a son… always so needy, bed-wetting, and bullied. Why couldn't you just do has Christopher asked you?"

And so it begins…

"What would that be Margaret," Ruth asks. "Would that be Martin at the age of five to be a man? You refused to allow him to play with other children and then throw him to the sharks at the age of six with no social skills to a boarding school full of boys. How could he not be bullied? You said needy, aren't all children needy at one time. I'm sure you were very needy as a child, I know you were when you were married to Christopher and it seems you still are today."

Margaret is slowly sinking as she grasps for straws,

"You are changing the subject. He can't even do surgery because he was frightened of blood… he had to become the GP in that backwater place your sister lives. Christopher said he was a complete embarrassment in that pub." Then pointing her finger at me she says, "Then you married that trollop. You know the only reason she married you is for your money. You now must take care of me, your mother." She stops taking an angry breath before she continues, "I understand there are some London properties Christopher had in his portfolio besides the farm. You can set me up in one of those and provide me an allowance from Christopher's estate. He would want that."

"Alistair please explain again the issue with Margaret's request," states Ruth.

"As stated before, Martin can't touch the money from the trust to provide you with an allowance. As to the property, Martin stated that he is selling it and the money would go into the trust. When the beneficiary turns eighteen, he or she can do what they wish according to the trust."

"That country trollop's child will inherit my Christopher's money," she yells.

Joan takes my hand under the table, I turn and look at her, shaking her head sending me a strong signal with the squeeze she has on my hand. I take it I'm not to speak. I turn and look towards Ruth and her smirk tells me she isn't done with Margaret.

"I believe you remember my father's trust and how it was set up. You and Christopher were unable to weasel any money from it as Martin was the sole beneficiary. That trust paid for his schooling at that boarding school you threw him into at a very young age, so you didn't have to deal with raising a son. Martin's wife isn't a trollop unless you are using yourself as the definition. Louisa is a teacher, and the Head of the primary school. She and Martin will wisely use the trust for any child he produces, until then his hands are tied just as Christopher's were when my father died. Did you not wonder why Christopher wanted a child so quickly after you were married? No, let me tell you then.
Father told Christopher, he needed an heir because that is a stipulation he had put in his will. What father didn't say, he hated you so much that he didn't want his fortune to go to you, so it was set that Christopher's heir would inherit it all. And my brother in his greedy way thought if he could provide a child he would inherit everything."

"How about those apples," Joan piped in smiling.

As if she didn't hear a word Ruth or Alistair had spoken, Margaret stands, placing her hands on the table leaning forward, and starts yelling, "Well Martin what do you have to say? You are just sitting there per your usual… a useless, whining child… grow a backbone and tell them how much money you are providing me. It is your duty!"

She reaches across the table, grabbing at my hands as she tried to act as the caring mother with tears in her eyes.

Joan starts to stand, I place a hand on her arm to catch her attention, it is my time to fight this battle, so I stand and place my hands on each shoulder of my aunts gaining strength from them and remember what Louisa said just before we left, 'Martin whatever she says is not true. You are the strongest man I know, always remember that. I, Phillip, and your aunts love you very much.' I look at my mother, "My wife, you call a money-grabbing trollop is nothing like that, she has never used the money in the account I set up for her when we were married. Not once has she asked what I'm worth, because she doesn't care. It is not important to her; I AM. She has known me at my lowest and has helped me move forward with her love. Dad couldn't say that about you. Do you remember that time you and dad came to steal Joan's farm? Do you recall what you said to me? I DO. You will not receive anything from Dad's trust, for one I can't give you anything, and two; why would I give you anything when you feel the way you do about me? If I was to do my duty and provide for my mother, it would be Joan I will do it for, not you. You brought me into this world, but Joan is the caring mother that made the terrible parts easier." I finish my say and turn toward Alistair, "I think we are done here, Alistair. Please call a taxi and remove this woman from this room."

I walk over to the table with refreshments and pour from the pitcher three glasses of water, taking two over to my aunts and returning to retrieve the third for myself. I stand unseeing out the window, trying not to gulp the water down, calming myself with the vision of Louisa and Phillip smiling at me.

I barely hear the commotion my mother is making as Alistair's assistant aids him in removing her from the room. I hear movement behind me as my anger clears from my mind. Joan touches my shoulder, "Well done, Martin. We are proud of you."

I turn to see that woman is no longer in the room and the tears start to flow; Joan pulls me into a hug and lets me cry from all the built-up anger. She knows all too well what my life was like and is taking her place now as my mother and caring for me.

Alistair reenters the room carrying some papers and walks over to Ruth, together they discuss a few things and Ruth signs the papers. "Martin, Alistair needs you to sign this and we can leave."

Joan releases her bear hug and I walk over to the table as I reach into my inside jacket pocket for my fountain pen, my new pen Louisa gave me this past Christmas. I remember what she said as I unwrapped the gift, 'I noticed your pen leaks sometimes, I did some research and I think you will like this one. Every day no matter where you are, you will have something special from me to you'. I quickly sign my name and put out my hand to my boarding school friend. I shake his hand as I look into his eyes, seeing the same troubled soul looking back at me. I recall he was often one of the boys that stayed over during the school breaks or holidays as his parents were no better than mine.

"Call me if you need anything Martin. I mean anything," Alistair says as he shakes my hand. He turns to Ruth and Joan and shakes their hands before leading us to the door.

ME/LE

I hold the door to our taxi as Joan and Ruth step inside, after looking around ensuring that woman isn't hanging around I climb in. Ruth signs loudly, "That was almost as bad as I thought it was going to be."

"I hope she got the message," Joan states looking from her sister towards me with her eyes.

I am too tired to talk about any of it, so I look out the window instead to close my mind off for just a few minutes so I can hear Phillip's giggle when he says hello to me and Louisa's touch that soothes my wounded soul. I just want to get back to them. Finally, the sights outside the window grab my attention, "Where are we going, this isn't the way to our hotel," my strong angry voices states.

"We are going to a different hotel, just in case Margaret is following. Once we are inside we will leave from another entrance to a waiting taxi to a restaurant in Mayfair where Louisa will be waiting. Poppy has Phillip in her room, so if Margaret goes to the hotel and knocks on your door, nobody will answer. The front desk has dealt with these issues before and knows how to handle them. Martin, you didn't notice the papers you signed did you?" Ruth asks.

"No, I thought they were the authorization."

"One was, but Alistair thought you might need a restraining order on Margaret, remember she knew we were staying at the Rueben so he thought she might try again at the hotel. He is calling the hotel management now to inform them of the restraining order that his assistant has taken to the local magistrate for their stamp and then he will deliver a copy to the Rueben management. We will have a nice lunch while they take care of things before our return," she finishes with a powerful look in her eyes.

"While you showered this morning Louisa spoke of her concern and I called Alistair about our concern and he started the paperwork along with the authorization for Ruth," Joan says. "Martin, we told you last night, the Ellingham women are a powerful force and will fight for our Ellingham men."

I look at them with shocked eyes and pity Margaret if they ever catch her alone in a dark alley and laugh at the thought.

Our taxi pulls up to the Sheraton Grand and we enter the hotel door, walking through to the terrace café.

As we are passing the young host Joan announces, "We see our party sitting in the back."

We continue out the back door and down the stairs, I hold the outside door for us and we get into the waiting taxi only to find Louisa's smiling face when we get in. "Louisa, I thought we were meeting you at the restaurant."

"I thought someone could take your taxi, so I canceled the one that was picking you up and asked my driver to wait for you so we could go together," she says as she is leaning closer to kiss my cheek.

"This was fun with a bit of cloak and dagger in London," Ruth states as she gives her sister a wink.

ME/LE

Just as the Ellingham women feared, Margaret did show up at their door and received no answer. Since she was not sure if the sisters were staying in one suite with Martin and his wife in another suite she decided to ask the front desk to check on a different suite for Martin Ellingham, announcing she was his mother, Margaret Ellingham, and announcing the need to find her son.

After a long delay, management escorts her to their office explaining some sort of suite assignment confusion but just as Margaret realizes they are stalling, the door opens to reveal two PC's escorted by hotel security. They show Margaret the magistrate's stamped restraining order and she is escorted from the hotel and told if she returned to the establishment she would be arrested.

ME/LE

That night in bed lying with my wife, I cuddle in close and with light touches on her shoulders, across her back with my fingers followed closely with my lips, I can feel her shiver and hear a moan escape from her lips from the attention I am providing. My love for her is overpowering as my mind searches for ways to love her more. She rolls back into me, reaching out to pull me closer into an awkward hug, placing kisses on my face. Finally stopping to place a deep kiss upon my lips as she pulls away, she whispers, "I love you."

I fall into a deep slumber with her in my arms, sleeping deeply as a loved husband, father, and wanted individual for the first time in my life.

End of chapter

Bach's Cello Sonatas or Suites: The six Cello Suites are some of the most frequently performed solo compositions ever written for cello. Bach most likely composed them during the period 1717 – 1723. I find them relaxing when I try to clear my mind after a difficult day. That and a large glass of wine will do wonders ;)

Definitions: Buttocks muscles:

The Gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the body.

Gluteus medius is referred to as the upper glutes.

Gluteus minimus largely works with the other two muscles

Upper arm muscles in the Anterior Compartment:

Biceps brachii. Often referred to as the biceps.

Brachialis lies underneath the bicep.

Coracobrachialis is located near the shoulder

Upper arm muscles in the Posterior Compartment:

Triceps brachii. Often referred to as the triceps.

The anconeus is the small triangular muscle near the elbow.

Forearm muscles in the Anterior Compartment:

Superficial Layer consists of the flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres.

Intermediate Layer consists of the flexor digitorum superficialis.

The deep Compartment consists of the flexor digitorum profundus, flexor policis longus, and pronator quadrature.

Forearm muscles in the Posterior Compartment:

Superficial Layer consists of the brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum and extensor carpi ulnari.

Deep Layer consists of the supinator, abductor policis longus, extensor policis brevis, extensor policis longus, and extensor indices.

I recently became very interested in the muscles in the shoulder upper arm due to tearing 3 of the 4 rotator cuff tendons last Christmas and receiving word from my Orthopedic Surgeon about what could and could not be done to help. Due to my age, certain surgeries would not benefit me, with only one option, a reverse shoulder replacement (yes it sounds bad). I have opted to wait on shoulder surgery because the operation will provide pain relief only. Physical Therapy is working out great and I have started the second level with strength training of the many muscles I used in this chapter.