Meryl and Don: An Unforeseen Journey

Chapter 81

Meryl refused going to the hospital saying it was just a preeclampsia flare up and she would be alright; it was just stress. Maggie insisted on taking them back to her house so the family could help take care of Henry while Don took care of Meryl. Larry took Don and Meryl's rental car to his parent's house. As soon as they got there, Don helped Meryl change into some of Liz's comfortable clothes and Maggie helped get them situated in the spare room. Don was sitting on the bed as Maggie came in with several cold cloths. "Thanks, Mags."

"You two need to stop fussing." Meryl sighed as Don gave her a look. "It's just a little flare up."

Don looked down at her feet. "You are holding a lot of fluid. Mags, can you bring her some water so she can take her Lasix?"

"Of course." Maggie patted his back. "I'm also going to bring up some lunch for both of you."

Don smiled at her. "Thank you; really."

"We shouldn't be here putting her out." Meryl sighed as Don placed a cold cloth behind her neck and her forehead. "And you shouldn't be fussing over me."

Don hushed her with a kiss to her lips. "I will ALWAYS fuss over you; besides, Mags is on cloud nine having people here. You know how much she wanted us to stay here."

"Baby, I'm really okay." Meryl could tell how worried he was.

Don shook his head. "I'm going to lift your shirt to put a cold cloth on your chest."

"Okay." Meryl whispered as he lifted her shirt and kissed her bruises then placed the cold cloth on her chest. "I really am better; my breathing got immediately better."

Don shook his head. "Preeclampsia is FATAL, Meryl. Don't you get it? In a blink of an eye you could have stroked out or something on that damn witness stand."

"I could tell you were making sure they stopped as soon as I was in distress." Meryl said squeezing his hand. "You take amazing care of me, Don Man, and you wouldn't let it get to that point."

Don shook his head as he stroked her hair. "You NEVER should have been put through that. I am so sick of people saying you either deserved that fucking shit or made it up. My god! What is fucking wrong with these people?!"

"I shouldn't have lost it like that." Meryl choked.

Don looked at her like she had two heads. "YES! You should have! Actually, you shouldn't have been pushed to that point but when you were you had EVERY right to do what you did, to say what you said. That took a hell of a lot of courage to show your external scars, not to mention your internal ones."

"Thank you." Meryl choked. "I was afraid you might be upset at what I said about us not being able to be intimate yet."

Don shook his head at her as he tenderly kissed her lips. "You do know me better than that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." Meryl whispered. 

Don continued to stroke her hair. "I am so sorry my fucking family keeps putting you through all this fucking shit."

"Baby, it is NOT your fault. Please, I'm begging you, PLEASE, don't blame yourself." Meryl said as she laced her fingers through his. "You are NOT them. I don't want this to tear you apart, because I don't want it to tear us apart."

Don crushed his lips to hers. "Nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, will tear us apart; not EVER. As long as you don't mind me fussing over you."

"Not at all." Meryl flirted. "I love your attention."

***

"Can I get you anything?" Don asked moving their lunch tray to the side.

Meryl nodded as tears appeared in her eyes. "Hold me?"