Meryl and Don: An Unforeseen Journey

Chapter 42

Neither Meryl nor Don slept much the night before the trial was to begin. They just laid there in silence holding one another. They didn't know what to say. There really wasn't much to say. As both of their minds were in overdrive they reminded each other, by holding one another, that as long as they had the other then they could get through anything. They both decided to finally get up and start the day; thinking the sooner they started then the sooner it would all be over. After sharing a sweet shower with one another, joking and talking about anything and everything but the trial, they got out and Meryl went to make herself some tea and start the coffee pot for Don's morning addiction. As she waited for his coffee to be brewed she went to grab something from their office she got for him just for this day.

***

Don was shaving his face and then brushed his teeth at the sink in their bathroom. He couldn't help but run his hand over his head. His hair was starting to grow back, as he knew it would, but at this point it looked like stubble on his cheek. Just as he was starting to get used to the bald head it was changing, again. He was happy that at least you could hardly see scars from his surgery. For some reason he felt vulnerable walking into that courtroom without a hat on today. He didn't know why. His head was evidence of what Mann was capable of; and if bearing his, in his mind, less than attractive head meant that his wife and children were safe from that psychotic bastard then  he would gladly do so. He said a silent prayer that he could keep his cool. He knew that if Mann came after his wife or taunted her then he wouldn't be responsible with his actions and could very well end up back in the hospital.

***

Meryl walked back into their bedroom putting both of their mugs down on their respective bedside tables. She then walked to the open bathroom door and stared at her husband for awhile. She noticed he kept messing with the stubble on his head. He'd turn form side to side. She knew he was still insecure about his lack of hair and it was like a knife to her heart. He had to have critical, life-saving, surgery all because he was protecting her and their family. She knew he saw his stubble growth and scars as disgusting but to her it was just another reminder of how deeply and fiercely he loved her and their children. She also knew that while she was the main target for Mann that Don was hurt just as much, if not worse in some ways, than she was. She placed her hand in her bathrobe pocket and squeezed the gift she had for him. She then made her way behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and kissing his back. "You are so handsome. I hope there's not any single women in the courtroom today; because they will swoon all over you."

"Let them try." Don winked at her through the mirror. "I'm a one woman kind of guy."

Meryl rubbed her cheek along his shoulder blade. "Thank God for that."

"Besides, I think you're the only one who thinks this stubble for hair is handsome." Don said, still feeling vulnerable.

Meryl turned him around to face her so she could lean up and kiss his lips. "Not just handsome but unbelievably gorgeous and sexy. I've seen the way other woman have been looking at you lately so I'm not the only one."

"No they haven't." Don chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Meryl nodded as she played with his chest hair that was revealed by his the opening in his robe. "Oh yes, they have. What about the sales lady when we bought Henry's bed? The waitress at dinner the other night?"

"No they weren't!" Don laughed.

Meryl nodded. "Maeve even noticed with that waitress the other night. I can't believe you didn't!"

"Maybe because I only have eyes, and heart, for one woman." Don winked.

Meryl tenderly kissed his lips as she gazed into his eyes. "I'm glad. Baby, today is gonna be hard. Reliving everything. Remembering what he did to you. How he tried to take you away from us."