Of Devils & Angels

New Beginnings

I am so so so so sorry for the delay! Thanks everyone for the votes and the comments! You guys are the greatest!! <3

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7 p.m.

Brigitte had left soon after having a long discussion with Don how they'd work out things, the press, the children, how and when to tell Meryl about her pregnancy. His wife was three weeks along and he knew exactly when they might've conceived, mid-January when they were in Mexico.

Meryl had been thankfully sleeping for quite a while and Don had taken the time to let the kids know that she was okay, atleast for the time being and he'd let them know as soon as they could visit.

He decided to prepare a cup of chamomile tea for his wife and have it ready when she got up. He was about to pour the tea into Meryl's favourite mug when he heard strangled cries coming from the bedroom. He abandoned the kettle running towards their room to see what had happened. Meryl was thrashing and crying in her sleep unable to escape her nightmare. He quickly scooped her up in his arms and tried to wake her up from her sleep. Meryl woke up flailing in his arms, looking terrified, tears staining her cheeks.

"He...he" Meryl cried.

"No, no babe. He isn't here. You're safe. Home. With me." Don soothed.

Meryl fell into his arms sobbing while he only held onto her. After what seemed like forever, Meryl spoke, her voice quivering "You know the worst part is I don't even know what he looks like and every other person I see I'm gonna think it's him. He made me feel so weak and small. All my life I've fought for justice and equality for women in positions like this...I never imagined I'd be ..I'd be one of them. I can't fight anymore Don."

Don wiped her tears and went to sit in the middle of the bed and pulled Meryl into his lap.

"You can. The Meryl I know is the strongest woman I've come across and I will fight tooth and nail to preserve her. It's our fight, I'm with you in this, we'll find him and we can't let him win. He can't break you, you're beautiful and strong.. " Don was stopped from saying anymore by Meryl who put a hand over his mouth.

"Don't say untrue things. I'm dirty and ugly and weak. How can you love me knowing what he did to me.."

Don wanted to cry and at the same time kill the man who did this and shake her up and say it was not her fault.

"Hey, no matter what happens I will never ever stop loving you. Never. And Meryl, how can you say this, you know it's the monster who did this to you, it's not your fault. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and never forget that."

"How can you still want me...I'm what they called 'damaged goods'"

"Stop. Nothing has changed between us. Nothing. Enough of your stupid talks, now, tea and some cake maybe?"

Meryl shrugged which Don took as a sign that she wouldn't mind some, but as soon as he was gonna get up she held his wrist.

"What about the kids? Do they..do they know?"

"Yes, they do and wanna come meet you but it's upto you if you want to see them now. They'll understand."

Meryl couldn't thank the Gods enough for a family like hers and for Don.

"I....I need time. I'm sorry."

"Hey" Don said kissing her forehead, "we'll go at your pace, okay. The kids will understand and you don't have to be sorry. It'll be okay."

"I'll be right back."

"No, I'll come along with you." And with that she got out of the bed with Don's help and they walked towards the kitchen.

Don wanted to tell her how important it was for her to rest right now, after everything that had happened to her and especially for the sake of the baby but held his tongue.

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As Don prepared their tea she just sat at the kitchen counter nibbling at the cake.

"Did...did Brigitte tell you about..."

"Yes whatever you told her." Don said placing their tea cups on the counter and pulling up a seat next to her.

"Do you want to..want me.."

"Like I said, when you're ready, no hurries. And Meryl, our task, ours, will be to forget about it, not relive it. Never forgive him but build from it. You understand that right?"

Meryl nodded.

"I can't seem to move on. Every time I close my eyes I can only just remember the room and the darkness and and..."

"Hey, it'll take time. It's only been a day sweetheart! We'll get through this!"

"Maybe I need something to put my mind off of it. Do something else!" Meryl said leaning her head on her husband's shoulder.

Don thought about whether it was the right time to tell her about the pregnancy but he decided to go ahead and do it after all.

"Well maybe you have something that might take your mind off this thing." He said and put his hand on her belly.

Meryl looked at him, confused.

"The doctor told Brigitte that we're....we're having a baby." Don said sceptically.

Inspite of everything Meryl let out a full bellied laugh and looked at Don incredulously. Don wanted to record her laugh and play it again and again. It was such a relief listening to her laugh again, after the whole ordeal.

"Don! What do you mean the doctor told Brigitte?"

"She didn't tell you given the circumstances..but I don't even know how that's possible but that's what the test results say."

"I..what..didn't? Oh God...I don't understand..why didn't she tell me?"

"She didn't know how you would take it, she did what she thought best, Meryl" Don soothed seeing that his wife was already beginning to hyperventilate.

"But..but how?" Meryl asked looking scared and lost.

"I don't know we'll have to go to your doctor soon. You're only three weeks along." Don smiled.

"Mexico." Meryl said immediately almost emitting a disbelieving breathy chuckle.

"Yes!" Don said kissing her cheek, "we're having a baby!"

"But Don, I'm too old, I don't want anything to happen to it..our baby!" she had tears in her eyes from the disbelief and the confusion and the happiness.

"Everything will be fine, I promise. We'll make it fine." Don said taking her left hand in his and kissing it as he placed his other hand on her belly and caressed it.

She placed her hand protectively over his and repeated Don's words, "We're having a baby!" and then she smiled her thousand watt smile.

And for a moment Don forgot about everything that had happened in the past few hours and he knew that no matter what, they'd get out of this and make new memories again.

He would get back his Meryl again because his wife was grinning at him with a hand over his on her belly and everything in the universe felt right again.

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Please tell me what you think!

I hope this chapter answers the question some of you seemed to be confused about: of course the baby daddy is Don lol!

If you want to see anything incorporated please comment or inbox me! Would gladly see what I can do about it!

Have a nice day/night! :)