Meryl and Don: An Unforeseen Journey

Chapter 74

The latest crisis did what crises did in the Gummer household-brought Don and Meryl even closer together. They spent several days together as a family: going to the park, to museums, spending time in their apartment, going out to dinner. The time spent as a family of 3 was treasured after everything they had gone through; and Henry loved having his parents all to himself, and together. Thankfully, the scars that Adam Shafer inflicted healed very quickly. However, too soon another storm was on the horizon.

***

Don, Meryl and Henry soon found themselves on Larry's private plane headed to Indianapolis for James' trial. Meryl noticed how withdrawn Don had become. She thought it was impossible for him to become any more protective of her and Henry; however, as James trial date got closer and closer he became even more protective of them. He was constantly waiting hand and foot on Meryl not wanting her to lift a finger; and made sure her blood pressure stayed down and she experienced as little stress as possible. The closer it came to James' trial the more she worried about Don.

***

Meryl noticed that Don hadn't taken his arm off of her as she was holding Henry on the flight. He had barely said anything. He was just staring off into space as he stroked her hair, or kissed Henry or held them both tightly in his arms. It had been at least an hour since they left New York; and whenever she would say something she would only get a one word response back from him. She decided to try to get him to open up. She kissed his neck as she laid her head on his shoulder. "A penny for your thoughts."

"I'm not thirsty." Don said still staring into space. "But thanks, babe."

Meryl lifted her head and turned his head to hers; when she did she saw his heart breaking. "Don, baby, talk to me. What's going on in that amazing, and beautiful, head of yours? Don't you dare tell me nothing. We've been in the air for almost an hour and you've barely said anything. You've been hovering over Henry and me more than normal these past few days, I love it, but I know something is going on. Come on, sweetheart, please talk to me. You've just been staring off into space. I know you're going through something."

"Why don't you hate me?" Don finally got it out.

Meryl's eyes were as big as saucers upon hearing him say that. "Donald Gummer, what on EARTH are you talking about? You are my heart and my life. I could NEVER hate you, my Don Man, not ever!"

"How can you not hate me for the way my mother spoke and treated you in the hospital?" Don asked trying to work all of this out in his head. "My god, Meryl, she threatened to take your husband and son away from you. You just went through DAYS of complete and UTTER HELL and she blames you! Says you deserve it! I don't understand how you still want to be with me; how you don't think of that every time you look at me."

Meryl went and laid Henry on the sofa next to them and placed pillows around him. She then went back to Don, and straddled him; something she hadn't done since before the kidnapping but she wanted to be as close to him as possible and to force him to look at her.  "I HATE what your parents fucking do to you. The answer to your question is simple...you are NOT your parents, baby, not by a long shot. You are the best god damn husband and father in the whole fucking world. I came ALIVE when I met you. You have saved my life in more ways than I can tell you; and continue to do so everyday. You love me more fully and completely than I have ever been loved. You are my best friend. My confidante. My partner in ALL things. I could NEVER EVER hate you. You and Henry and this baby are my LIFE. You three are my heart and soul. You're my center. My core. PLEASE, baby, PLEASE don't let them play with your mind and heart as they've done your whole life. I love you, so much."

"I love you." Don choked as she crushed her mouth to hers. Soon they were lost in a sea of overwhelming desire. As soon as Don felt a familiar, and wonderful stirring in his pants, he knew he needed to stop what they were doing. Not because he didn't love it. Not because he didn't miss it. He just didn't want her to feel pressured in ANY way. When Don pulled away he placed one more kiss on her forehead. "More than anything."