What We Never Knew We Needed

Chapter 8

Don was swerving in and out of traffic as sweat poured down his body. He wanted to call an ambulance; but Meryl resisted. Don was terrified he and his ego had put the most important person to him, and their baby, in danger. Don hit the breaks all of a sudden when the light turned. "DAMN IT!"

"SHIT, DON!" Meryl exclaimed as her body lurched forward in the seat; scaring Don even more.

Don immediately put his arm in front of her body trying to shield her in whatever way he could. "Baby, are you okay?"

"Not if you keep driving like a lunatic. Calm down!" Meryl snapped. She was in pain, scared, upset and still pissed that her husband could possibly think that she didn't love him. "If you keep driving like this then we are going to have worse problems than my cramps."

Don nodded. "Are they any better?"

"No." Meryl broke down in sobs. "I'm terrified."

Don sighed. He wanted to take her in his arms. He wanted to assure her but he was pretty sure she would just push him away, and he couldn't exactly blame her; besides they were sitting in Manhattan traffic. "I'm going to get you there, SAFELY, as soon as I can."

***

Don threw his keys at the valet as he helped Meryl into the hospital, immediately getting her in a wheelchair as soon as possible. He had called the hospital on the bluetooth in the car not wanting her to be hounded by fans; and arranged for a private arrival. As soon as they got in through the back entrance a nurse came up. "Mrs. Gummer, we're taking you back right now. We'll figure out what's going on."

"Thank you." Meryl breathed through the pain as she felt Don drop her hand. She couldn't get over the heartbreak and hurt she saw in his eyes.

Don stood there, willing tears not to come, as he watched his wife being pushed away in a wheelchair. He knew she wouldn't want him back there with him; which broke his heart. As hard as it was for him not to be there with her right then; he also wanted to do what was best for her and the baby. In that instant, he now understood where Meryl was coming from earlier; no matter how ridiculous he though it was. He fully understood being willing to be hurt in the worst possible way if it was best for her. Though in his mid, having sex with someone else was NEVER what was best for him; and it never would be. He found his voice to talk to her. "I'll be right here, M."

"Wait!" Meryl said urgently to the nurse as he began to push her away; she then turned her head to look back at her husband. "You're not going to be back there with me? You don't want to be back there with me."

Don looked around as he knelt down in front of her, wiping away her tears; glad she didn't stop him from doing so. "I didn't think you would want me back there with you. Baby, of course I want to be back there with you."

"I can't do this without you." Meryl choked. "It hurts so badly; and I'm so scared, Don."

Don kissed her, hard, on the forehead; again he was grateful she didn't push him away. "Of course I'll be back there with you, Darl; ALWAYS."

***

Don was sitting in a chair by Meryl as she laid in the hospital bed as he was stroking her hair. He figured he wasn't as much in the doghouse since she let him touch her. So far the tests showed the baby was fine; and they had her hooked up to a fetal monitor and they could hear the baby's heartbeat. They said the fact that she wasn't spotting was a great sign. "That's a strong little heartbeat."

"It is." Meryl sighed. "An amazing sound."

Don lifted her hand up to his lips; again he was relieved that she didn't retract from his touch. "Baby, I'm so sorry for the things I said back at the apartment. I don't want to get you upset all over again; I just want you to know how sorry I am and how much I wish it never would have happened."