The marriage wasn't to last and just a year later they were separated and had started divorce proceedings.
Naomi bought herself a house across the other side of town and started a relationship with Kurt Moreland He wasn't as old as either Stewart or Keith but he was still quite a bit older than her.
In Owen's house changes were afoot, but not the one he had Martha were so hoping for.
They had bought a new mare; Asta and Thunder had fathered a little foal. They named him Hamlet.
Hamlet could trace his ancestry all the way back to Patches who Albin bought when he was a teenager.
The other new member of the family was Nyota. It seemed that even little alien boys could have imaginary friends.
This time it was Dominic who managed to work out the right ingredients for the potion to make her a real live girl.
Owen had taken her in and Spock and Nyota had grown into teenagers side by side.
Owen wondered if they would one day marry and if so how outlandish their children might look.
Spock had also discovered that he had strange powers. He was able to go into a trance and restore his energy, rather than need any sleep.
For Owen and Martha there had been no pitter patter of tiny feet. After a year with no success they went to seek medical advice. Upon further investigation it was found that they both had infertility problems. IVF was now the only option. They had so far had two unsuccessful attempts and Owen was starting to despair. He had thought they had all the time in the world but now Martha was forty and their chance of being parents seem to be slipping away.
Owen would watch Martha across the dinner table and could see how unhappy she was and he knew he was to blame.
When she came up for bed one night be decided it was time to talk to her.
"Martha, I am so desperately sorry. This is all my fault." Martha looked surprised, but tired and began shaking her hear wearily.
Owen continued "I have been a terrible husband, I have always been putting things before you and yet you are what is most important in my life. I love you ever so much."
Martha was now smiling faintly at him "You haven't been terrible, I know you just wanted to lead the River family well."
"But did I? Was that why I was so determined to succeed. I have been thinking and I am not so sure."
Martha's brow knitted together in response and Owen could see her questioning look so he continued.
"I have been examining my own actions and it's been a real eye opener. I think it's all to do with my own fears about my inadequacy for the role of leader."
"I don't understand", replied Martha, Owen was the last person she would have thought felt inadequate, he had always seemed so confident and assured.
"Owen stood up and beckoned Martha to the mirror. "What do you see?" he enquired.
"You" replied Martha in some confusion.
Owen continued; "I see my mother, I am so like her.
Where is the resemblance to Laughing Bear? I have none and even my father had none of the strong features of Laughing Bear.
Yet here you are standing next to me your lineage clearly written with your strong jaw line and prominent nose. You are a true River."
Martha shook her head "Who you are, isn't just about how you look."
"Perhaps not," replied Owen "But who I am is the son of my father's imaginary friend. My mother has no parents, she was never born she just popped into existence one day. What was my father doing marrying her? Am I even fully human? Who am I to be entrusted with running the family. I thought my success I could put these fears to rest and show myself and the world that I was really a River. But in the end what is success if I can't provide an heir to carry on our family?"
"I had no idea you felt like this." said Martha, looking rather stunned.
Owen continued "Neither did I really, not until I took the time to examine my actions and thoughts, I have been so blind. Haven't you noticed how my choices have all been so different from my father? I was angry at him for marrying my mother, for making me so full of doubt. It was his fault that I had to endure stares and comments because of my bright red hair. Even choosing you I had an ulterior motive. Although, please do believe me that I love you very dearly now. In you Martha, I saw all that I lacked, you were so thoroughly a River. I thought I could cleanse out the impurities and produce real River kids, but I was too keen on political success and left it too late."
Martha hugged Owen close and said "You have been a great leader, look how happily Harriet is settled and before you start to talk about Naomi, I think she was always going to be trouble. You took care of your brother when he had Spock and all in all the whole River clan has stuck together. They have followed your leadership, they haven't doubted you and neither have I. There is still time for us Owen."
Owen smiled and kissed her. "I hope you are right, but now things need to change and they start with me taking you out for dinner. You are going to become my number one priority now." Martha managed to smile back at him, one of the only smiles he and seen from her lately.
Owen was determined to take better care of his wife and to do all in his power to show her just how much she meant to him.
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