Sorry to my loyal readers, the past month RL struck hard. The first real winter storm in years caused major damage. It looked like a war zone with many trees snapped in half, covering many of the roads for days. We lost power, and mobile phones were slow if not nonexistent for days. I had a family medical issue that required time away from home and my computer for another ten days. Then add to my troubles I ended up in the ER with loss of vision in one eye. I had a blood vessel in the retina leak, causing a large dark floater across most of my line sight in my right eye. Writing or reading on a computer is limited until they medically clear me. So warning you that updates could be slower. Bad news over, here is chapter 19 of this continuing story... enjoy.

Chapter 19

The Village Bell Rings

'Night shadow falling

I hear you calling

We're finally talking

Your words touch my soul…

It's taking a long time

To get inside your mind

I know it's not easy

But baby, we're two of a kind

Little by little

I'm getting close to your heart

When we're together'

Looks like we're making a start

Little by little

I see that look in your eyes

Each time you touch me

I want to reach out for you…

'Little by Little' by Laura & the Lovers

ME/LE

Dawns' early light flickered through the bottom edge of the closed curtain to our bedroom, announcing another early summer day. As my eyes adjust to the soft suffused light around the room, the sound of Louisa's snores near my chest brings a smile to my normally frowning face as I remember how the sound once annoyed me. I find myself wrapped around the woman I love and find it difficult to believe it isn't a dream. A dream I had for so many months and still can't believe she is willing to be with me.

Last night as I moved to cuddle with her, placing my large paw of a hand over her lower abdomen with sleep eluding me, my fears and old memories flash thoughts of inadequacy as the man Louisa loved. The same old questions cross my mind. What does she see in me? Why would this beautiful woman want me, especially the damaged, rude, and inconsiderate man that he was? I gaze down on her sleeping form as memory upon memory flash by… our failed first attempt at marriage. Louisa standing in my kitchen in her wedding dress with a sad expression on her face placing her letter on my table. The letter that I read more than a hundred times and knew by heart said she loved me but couldn't marry me.

The knock-on my kitchen door six months later, with a very pregnant Louisa standing on my threshold of the cottage, and I with a look of fear and confusion that almost sent her away again. Thank goodness the words I needed to express to her didn't falter as they had so many previous times.

The feeling of her beside me in bed that first night when she asked me to stay with her was overwhelming, and to discover upon waking how I had my body spooned around her and with my hand, like now, poised over my child in a possessive way has over time quieted my fragile ego that Louisa does not mind my touches. These are just a few thoughts I recall tonight, and as I work through each one the answer comes to me just as quickly as my questions. Louisa is an intelligent woman, if she didn't want to be with me then she wouldn't be here snuggled with me and carrying my offspring. If she didn't want me, she would not be happy with the news we received three weeks ago. She would not have had happy tears as we saw our children growing inside her yesterday. These thoughts of my children nestled safely within her body, sitting under my hand pushed all earlier negative worries to fade into the fogginess of sleep.

My reverie is interrupted as I realize Louisa is awake and planting little kisses on my chest. I find her green vibrant eyes are staring at me when I look down.

"I wondered when you realized I was awake. You were deep in thought. Anything you want to tell me?"

"Uh no," are the first usual words out of my mouth but for some reason, her look stops those words as my last. "I was thinking how lucky a man I am with a woman that loves me, and willing want to bear my children again."

Leaning down I kiss Louisa deeply. This is all I ever want in my life, this woman wrapped in my arms.

ME/LE

It is a sunny afternoon on Sunday, we have finished our lunch of quinoa with roasted vegetables, nuts with Greek yoghurt dressing completing the meal. Since our appointment with Doctor Rawle, I have researched recipes with balanced nutrients. Phillip enjoyed the meal minus the nuts with the evidence all over his face.

Louisa asks if we could take a walk into the village,

"Martin, before long everyone will notice this baby bump that suddenly showed up this morning. This could be my last walk before the village figures out that I'm pregnant again."

I remember the comments I overheard when Louisa returned six months pregnant, with some nasty comments on whom the father could be. My mind returns to this last February and the gossip concerning Danny Steele and Louisa, I know instantly the rumors that will start. I look at Louisa, reading the expression on her face, and know she is thinking the same.

"Louisa, let's go into the village and enjoy ourselves, maybe have supper at the pub. They have some broiled options you can eat." I say while a thought ferments on a way to stop the rumors before they start.

I am pulling the pram out and hanging Phillip's open bag on it, looking and ensuring we have everything we will need.

I pull Phillip out of the playpen and take him upstairs for a fresh nappy and put on his new outdoor shoes with the leather soles as I plan to allow him a bit of walking to tire him out. He should nap while we do our errands before our meal at the pub. I note Louisa walking down the hall from the kitchen with a bottle for Phillip just as I am placing Phillip in his pram.

"Martin, I was wondering if I should wear my maternity belt, with the extra weight and the expansion of my baby bump."

"I think that is a good idea. Where is it?" I ask.

"Upstairs on my dresser, I'll go get it."

"No, I'll get it." I pull Phillip out of the pram and walk quickly up the stairs in search of the garment. I locate it and hand the box to Phillip to carry as we go down the stairs and return to Louisa.

"Phillip hand your present to your mum," I say and the smile that crosses Phillip's face broke the tension on Louisa's face.

"Thank you. My two Ellingham men taking care of me, I could get used to this over the next months," she says as she places a kiss on each of our foreheads.

Louisa disappears into the downstairs toilet to put on the support and adjust the belt to correctly fit on her lower belly. Sliding her jumper over it, checking herself in the mirror with the belt showing just a bit below the well-chosen jumper she chose to change into.

She comes walking back down the hall towards us and I notice near the bottom edge of her jumper the belt can be clearly seen and realize Louisa has decided the village is to know of the pregnancy today. I touch my jacket pocket ensuring my part of the surprise at our meal with the village in the well-attended pub.

We amble down the drive onto the lane, Phillip pointing at the gulls flying overhead looking for a meal to loot from an unsuspected tourist. Louisa curls her arm through mine as we come upon the strangers. I look down at this show of our love and remember how just a year ago this would never happen in public. To me, this was a private act, out of sight of others due to the intimate emotions I felt, but now I want everyone to know how I feel about this woman. I slow my pace for Louisa. Our togetherness, the way Louisa leans close to me, I feel as if I am a character in a romance novel that she likes to read. Phillip's squeal draws my attention away from my thoughts as I notice the dog that follows me everywhere when I walk about the village is trotting towards us.

"Go away," I shout as the dog turns to walk alongside the pram.

"Martin, leave it alone. Phillip enjoys watching the dog. Listen, Phillip is trying to talk to it."

"Dawg, ere dawg," he shouts waving his hand out towards the dog.

"No Phillip, that animal is dirty, do not touch," I say as I try to separate the dog from the area of the pram close to my son.

"Martin, children like animals, especially dogs. Everyone knows that a boy's best friend is his dog."

"That won't be Phillip's best friend. That animal roams these streets, eating out of garbage cans and it smells.

"It just needs someone to care for it. Does it have an owner?"

"Auntie Joan said the farmer down her way is the owner but it never seems to stay at the farm."

We are near the surgery when a group of people, more than likely tourists, come towards us on their way to the coastal path with a few eating ice cream. The gulls flying nearby see their opportunity as the child points towards the water with the hand holding the cone, suddenly swooping down a gull snatches the cone in its beck, knocking it out of the child's hand onto the ground. The dog quickly leaves us to enjoy the delight presented to him. I quickly maneuver the pram around the gaggle and we continue down Roscarrock Hill, again I slow as our way is steep. We pass my car parked at the surgery when I see Bert coming from his restaurant entrance in the wall. He notices us and walks towards us, "No," I mumble.

"Oie Doc, it's my back, can ye have a look?" shouts Bert.

I look him in the eye while Louisa is sending silent messages through her grip on my arm, "Bert, why come to me, the locum is staying at the surgery and he is on duty."

"There was no answer to the surgery phone. He doesn't answer the phone when he isn't holding surgery."

"Then go to Wadebridge surgery or make an appointment with Morweena on Monday."

I push the pram to pass him as his slow mind muddles the options I provided him. "Good day, Mr. Large," I announce as we continue down the hill.

"Martin, that was good of you not to yell and provide him with options, but couldn't you have looked at him for just a moment. We aren't that far from the surgery."

"No, the village needs to understand that I have surgery hours. I set up an on-call medical help when I'm off duty, which isn't very often. Bert is always in the surgery about his back, and there is nothing wrong with it that a few fewer stones of weight won't help."*

Bert watches the couple for a few moments as they walk towards the Platt. He notices the support belt around Louisa's waist and assumes it is for her back injury. If it works for her maybe I can get the Doc to prescribe for himself. I'll call Morweena in the morning he concludes as he waddles towards the restaurant steps.

We stop near the water, Phillip starts babbling on about the gulls and the boats, raising his purple dinosaur so it can see. In my mind, this is the best friend my son can have. I can keep it clean with regular laundering. I turn to Louisa noticing how the sun plays with the natural highlights of her hair and remember,

"Mrs. Tishell filled your prescriptions I called in earlier today," I announce looking to see if Louisa is angry. I thought it could be a way to announce her pregnancy to the village without actually saying anything.

"You called in my prescriptions to Mrs. Tishell! You know when you walk into her shop. She'll bombard you with questions invading our privacy."

"Yes," is all I can say as I can't tell if she is angry? "Is that a problem? I know many of the rumors about your return from London came from her shop and again in February regarding Danny Steele. I want to show her that there's nothing to those rumors and support you, my wife of my children."

I must have said something right because Louisa moved to lean up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. I quickly glance around to see who is near to see but I don't notice any of the villagers, only a few tourists.

What does escape the eyes of Doctor Martin Ellingham is the woman watching from the shadows of a shop. The look of disgust passing across her face shows the hate for the floozy kissing him, as she wonders 'how that jezebel trapped him. '

We don't need to pick up your medication today if you don't feel like facing her. I can run down after the morning appointments at the surgery. Why don't we walk over towards White Rose cottage? Louisa agrees and the couple moves along Fore St. slowly walking past the Pub and small shops as the villagers watch from different locations. As the couple stroll up the hill towards their destination, the gossip spreads from one cottage phone to the next. By the time they reach Louisa's old cottage, most of the inhabitants of the street are watching them from behind curtains and in the alleyways waiting for something to happen and be the first to spread the word.

"Why don't we walk a bit further and let Phillip see the sea from this side of the village, maybe we will see some dolphins," Louisa suggests.

"Are you sure you're not too tired? The walk downhill will tax you."

"I'll be fine, this belt is helping more than I thought it would, but you are right, maybe we should start for the pub before it is too crowded to store the pram."

Once again we make our way slowly down the sloping Fore Street, again under the watchful eyes of the village. If they only realized and looked closely at Louisa, one of them would have the prize-winning piece of gossip.

When we finally reach the Platt, "Sit here on this bench," I say as I pull out her cushion. "I'll take Phillip towards the water and let him walk around. It is mostly flat and good for him to work on his balance."

I help Louisa to sit, pull the pram beside her and take Phillip in my arms, and walk toward the boats for him to see them up close. As soon as I place him on the sand, he tries to make a mad dash for the nearest gull scavenging for food among the seaweed. My long strides help me to intercept him before his shoes hit the water. I swing him up and turn him, so he can see his mum sitting on the bench,

"Phillip look there is your mum. Go tell her about your adventure."

I release him onto the sand once more and he wobbly walks as fast as he can, with a few stumbles, he picks himself up and notice the wet sand on his hands, and decides he needs to taste it. Once again I am quicker than he is and brushes the sand from his hands with my handkerchief. I remind him of his goal to go to mum and release him. Off he goes again and this time making it his mum's feet. Using his limited vocabulary that seems to improve each day, he explains to his attentive mum about his adventure. I realize for the umpteenth time how lucky my son is to have a mother like Louisa. She is always excited to hear what Phillip says to her.

Once again hidden in a shop, the woman watches Doctor Ellingham and family, angry with the recent news that she received a few days ago.

I take hold of Phillip, lifting him onto the bench, "Phillip sit here a moment, I need to close up your pram," I say to my son.

He watches as I close it and take his bag, placing it on my shoulder. I turn and lift him again into my arms, and lend my free arm to Louisa to pull herself up so the Ellingham family can move in the direction of the pub for our family meal. As we walk in, the crowd stops talking to look at the new arrivals, some even whispering to their acquaintances at the bar, per my usual I ignore them. Louisa points out a table in the back corner, far from the bar, in the side room. We make our way and I notice the child booster seat as we pass, I stop to look to see who is near to help with my request. To my dismay the closest villager is Penhale and he immediately comes up to us.

"Doc, Lousier and little tike, what are you doing here?"

"I would think it is obvious Penhale, I am taking my family out to eat in this pub and I thought I would introduce Phillip to the wide range of idiots," I state with emphasis. Louisa looks at me with that look I know I've said the wrong thing or used the wrong tone. I rack my brain to come up…"

"Joe, don't mind Martin, it's been a long few weeks and he is tired. He spends every waking me taking care of Phillip and me, and dealing with the locum, whom I see is sitting at the end of the bar."

Looking around the rooms, I turn my head towards the bar and notice the good doctor with a pint in one hand guzzling down the brew and with the other fondling the rear of a young woman.

"Yes, sorry Penhale, I shouldn't have said what I said," I mutter, as I continue to notice and am bothered by the action of the doctor. I make a mental note to pass on to Chris Parsons regarding future work for the bum in Cornwall.

"Penhale, can you grab that booster chair and bring it over to the table for me, thank you," I ask and walk away.

"Sure Doc, no problem," he says as he walks behind Louisa. "Lousier, what's that belt thing for? It doesn't look like the support belt the medics provided when I injured my back," he states loudly.

I notice a few heads looking our way, leaning to hear Louisa answer. "Penhale places the seat here," I say as I stand next to Louisa, "Louisa let me settle Phillip in his chair, and then I'll help you."

The distraction works with Penhale. It is too early in the evening for our secret to come out. I settle Phillip in his seat and turn my attention to my wife. Together while I hold the cushion in place, Louisa slides onto the bench seat of the booth. She smiles up at me and touches my arm. I place Phillip's bag next to me on my bench and I sit down, noticing Penhale standing behind Phillip's chair, looking at Louisa. "Penhale, what is the matter," I ask.

"Lousier didn't tell me about her support belt, as I recollect I've seen those before, but can't place it exactly."

"Joe, this belt supports my coccyx injury, not the usual back support belt," she says while looking at me with an expression that said, 'don't contradict me'.

I keep my mouth shut as I turn to look in Phillip's bag for his meal. When I look up from the bag, Joe has a look on his face. I guess it's his thinking look.

"Penhale, anything else you want to discuss please call the surgery on Monday."

I hear smacking sounds coming from my son, I look over to see him reaching for his spoon, and realize he is very hungry. "One moment Phillip adults are talking and you should not interrupt," I say as I look at Penhale with a raised eyebrow.

"No Doc, you're right, I'll stop in tomorrow," he says continuing to look at Louisa. He starts to walk away, stops and looks at her again, shakes his head dismissing a thought, and walks away with his pint towards his bar stool.

"I'm not sure we will make it home before Penhale figures out I'm pregnant, announcing to the whole pub," she whispered as she leans towards me.

"Let's order our meal, eat and then give them the proof to gossip all they want," I state. "The special is scallops, I'll order them broiled with roasted vegetables," I say looking over the menu.

"Order two and I'll share a salad with you," she says as she hands me her menu, to replace between the condiments. "Hand me the juice and sippy cup and I'll fill it. What did your daddy bring for dinner Phillip?" she asks Phillip in her lovely mommy voice she uses with Phillip. I notice her Cornish accent the most when she talks to him.

"There was chicken leftover from our meal yesterday so I chopped it into smaller pieces and brought his chopped cooked carrots and some string beans. I thought maybe a side of applesauce while we have cheese and apple tonight when we return home before his bottle." I look for her approval on my choices as I take the wet flannel from its bag and clean Phillip's hands.

"Good choices, all your favorites Phillip," she says as she hands him his sippy cup.

The older server, I can't seem to remember her name at the moment, walks up to the table, "What you want to wet your whistle?"

"Two glasses of water," I say, "Two of the broil scallop meals with roasted vegetables and a side salad to share."

"You must be in some kind of hurry Doc?"

"No, I don't like to eat after a certain time and Phillip will get restless if his routine is changed."

"Louisa, you're not having your usual wine tonight?"

"No, I can't mix alcohol with my medication."

I look at my watch, Louisa ate several hours ago, worried she might develop nausea, "Please just take our order and bring our drinks," I sternly voice but the look on Louisa's face makes me add, "Please."

I busy myself with Phillip, pulling out his bowl and placing equal amounts of protein and vegetables into it then place the bowl in front of him, watching him reach into the bowl before I fully set it down. "He is hungry tonight. He must be going through another growth spurt, typical at his age," I finish.

"He'll be a year in five short weeks," Louisa informs me.

"Yes, I know."

We are interrupted again as Marge delivers our drinks. "Food is cooking and here are your drinks and salad to share."

"What are your plans this week regarding work," I ask Louisa when Marge leaves to clean up the next table.

"Melanie and I will walk up on Monday morning after my exercise video. I have a meeting over the phone with Stu McKenzie, I plan to finish any paperwork I can't do at home and should be back at the house before your mid-day doctoring is over. I plan on taking a nap before my skype call with Audrey on the last part of the course. I don't think it is too much. If I'm tired after my call with Stu, I'll call you to come to pick us up if that is all right," she asks looking over to me as I figure the time and energy she'll expel and nod,

"Louisa, please call when you are ready to come home even if you think you're not tired. It is your first day back at the school and they will want extra from you. Remember what Doctor Rawle said."

"Martin, you are right. I haven't physically been in the school for well over a month and it seems many can't figure out what needs to be done and just do it. I promise," she takes my hand into hers making me look at her, "If I don't call you by eleven forty-five come to the school and drag me out," she says smiling.

We quietly sit sharing our salad and periodically place more food into Phillip's bowl. He usually is very talkative during dinner but tonight other than smacking lips and the occasional request for more he is also quiet. I slide the empty salad plate aside just as Marge returns carrying our meal.

"Ohh, that smells wonderful," Louisa announces.

I cut off a few pieces of fish from my plate, setting them aside to cool for Phillip. I have introduced different foods to Phillip for the past month to introduce him to new choices. I place a couple of pieces into his bowl and with pinching like movement he fishes out a piece of scallop and places it in his mouth. Almost immediately pulling it out again, looks at it, talks to it, and then puts it back in and chews on it. Louisa and I watch this drama most nights as our son decides if he likes the food, tonight he does and reaches into his bowl and pulls out another piece. Earlier this week I introduced whole peas for the first time, he played with them, including squeezing them in his fist before stuffing his mouth with the mush.

I look over to Louisa as she eats bits of food. I estimate a quarter of her scallops and less than half of her vegetables, "Louisa, try to eat a bit more, just a couple more forks full," I beg.

"I will, just letting the food settle a bit, I feel sick if I fill up too quickly."

I look around the room. I can see it is almost to capacity in our area, all the bar stools are taken, so I figure this is a good time as the tables close by will be able to hear our conversation. I place the last piece of fish and vegetables in my mouth and place my fork on the empty plate. I check Phillip's bowl and place a few more string beans in it. Now I am ready. I pull from my jacket pocket the two printouts Doctor Rawle gave us and place them on the table. Louisa looks up from her plate with a surprised questioning look. The noisy women sitting at the tables near us are trying very hard to see the pictures. The woman behind Louisa makes the biggest move to see the pictures by standing up to look. When she realizes exactly what the pictures contain, a scream burst from her mouth, scaring Phillip. I quickly pick him up and soothingly talk to him as I wipe his tear-stained face. Louisa is bombarded with question after question on the baby's status. I hear Louisa start to explain,

"We are very happy. We found out in London after my accident. I am only twelve weeks along so many things can happen, so we are taking it one day at a time."

It seems someone in the group could count backward but rudely stated what others were thinking but couldn't count as fast, "So it isn't Danny Steele's baby then?"

Louisa caught the look on my face and before I could explode she said, "I was never involved with Danny Steele when he showed up in the village in December till the last time I saw him in February. I am twelve weeks, any female in this room would know I didn't conceive until late March and Danny spent that time pissed on a barstool somewhere, but not in this village. The babies are Martin's and mine."

Another low murmur crosses the room, 'she said babies' could be heard repeated. Suddenly out of nowhere Penhale's voice can be heard, "Now I remember what that support belt is for. It's a maternity belt, for when a woman is pregnant," he states.

I shake my head to his announcement, looking over to Louisa I ask, "Are you ready to go home now?"

"Yes, ask Marge for a go-away container."

I signal for our check, while I wait for Marge to bring it, I pack Phillip's bag with his help, clean his hands with the wet flannel and slide out of the bench to pull my wallet out. Marge walks through the crowd of mumbling women and hands it to me. I pull out the pounds needed including the tip and hand it back to her. Louisa collects the scans from the table before someone tried to grab them and placed them in her handbag. I push my way over to Louisa, helping her up and she grabs her cushion with one hand and mine with the other, we walk through the room with the crowd parting like the red sea. I release Louisa's hand and open the pram, placing Phillip in it, quickly buckling him in, and hanging his bag on it before taking the cushion from Louisa to place in the basket on the bottom. I wheel the pram out the door, held by some tourist and I reach back to take Louisa's hand again and we slowly leave the village, walking up Roscarrock Hill to home satisfied with the knowledge that the village talk will for once be containing facts. The deed is done, and we put an end to the ugly gossip before it even started.

She watched as they walked past her, their hands intertwined with not a soul misinterpreting this couple loved one another. This is when she realized that nothing she could say or do would matter to Doctor Martin Ellingham. He had no eyes for anyone else. He loved this woman and only this woman.

End of Chapter

*Stone by definition: The stone or stone weight is an English and imperial unit of mass equal to 14 pounds. The stone continues in customary use in the United Kingdom and Ireland for body weight.

The "woman" watching, is a bit of mystery; I haven't decided on which of the obvious women in this story it will be. Maybe a review by a follower will provide the answer. I was once told by another FF writer 'readers see connections and have interesting insights to our stories that we do not see'. Let's see what you come up with.