What We Never Knew We Needed

Chapter 9

Late the next morning Don was able to take Meryl home. The hurts and misunderstandings between them had been long healed; and as usual after any rift, they were closer than ever. However, Don felt like he was more terrified than he had been during her pregnancy after he saw what an argument had the ability to do to her. He vowed not to let stress touch her for the next 4 months; well, for as long as he could. They had just walked out of the elevator when Don bent down to scoop her in his arms; causing her to laugh in surprise that her 65 year old husband was actually carrying his 5 months pregnant, 62 year old, wife into their apartment. "Donald Gummer! What in the hell are you doing?"

"Carrying my wife; and trying not to do drop her on her ass." Don struggled as he handed her the keys. "Open the door, please."

Meryl sighed a she did what he said in order to try and help him. "Donald Gummer, you are going to break your back! I can walk."

"I'm fine. It's more important that you stay off your feet." Don said carrying her back to their bedroom on the first floor that they were staying in for the remainder of her pregnancy and bed rest. "Your body has been through enough. It is obvious your body can't handle ANY extra activity or stress."

Meryl sighed; it was obvious that he was still really bothered by what happened. "Don Man, walking won't stress my body out."

"Well, I am not taking ANY chances." Don said laying her on the bed and taking off her shoes. "Okay, are you hungry? Thirsty? Do you want to change?"

Meryl reached for his hand as he threw a blanket over her. "Baby, I'm okay. I want you to stop and breathe. If I'm hungry or thirsty I can get up and get it. I can change myself. Sweetheart, did you even sleep last night?"

"Yeah." Don said unconvincingly. "Sure."

Meryl sighed. "Don Man, if you don't want me to worry or stress then don't work yourself to death. I am worried and stressed because you are putting so damn much pressure on yourself." Meryl yawned; not realizing she was already falling asleep. "I don't want anything to happen to you eith..."

"Darl?" Don couldn't help but laugh that even though she was worried about him, and trying to argue with him about doing too much, that she fell asleep mid-sentence. "I can't let anything happen to you either, baby; either of you." Don sat there for awhile and watched his wife sleep; grateful she was able to fall asleep so easily after the latest bump in the road. As he watched his wife sleep he could feel the dread and fear of losing her well up within him. He knew he needed to get out of the room before he lost it and woke her up. He went over and kissed her forehead. "I love you; please just rest." He then walked out to prepare lunch hoping it would distract him from his thoughts and worried heart.

***

Don was in the kitchen making Meryl's favorite chicken salad when he heard their doorbell ring. "Shit!" He hissed as he ran to answer it; he didn't want ANYTHING to wake up his wife knowing that rest was not only the best thing for their baby, but for her as well. Don quickly opened the door and was a little sharper than he meant to be. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Mr. Gummer, this came for you all." Ross the doorman said handing Don a manilla envelope.

Don immediately felt bad. "Sorry for my mood, Ross." Don sighed as he reached into his packet and handed the young man a $50 bill. "Thanks so much."

"Have a good day." Ross said as he turned to walk away. "Thank you."

Don was surprised to see that the delivery was from Larry's office. He couldn't think of what Larry would have sent by messenger. He didn't even bother to see who the envelope was addressed to.  He went back into the kitchen and stood at the breakfast bar as he put his glasses back on and opened the envelope; reading the contents. It didn't take long for tears to come to his eyes as he read her final wishes: a small wake at their Mason's Island house with her ashes being scattered by him and their children off the cliff where she married "the love of her life;" and where she "became a whole person" as she said in the directives. She even wrote down that she wanted it by invitation only; and WHO she wanted to be there. She went on to direct that she didn't want her family subjected to any events that honored her; because she didn't want them to have to sit through that pain. In this legal directive Don read how she wanted all the money and properties to be put in only his name upon her death; and listed who she wanted to have certain possessions of hers. Don couldn't breath as his hands shakily held the documents he was reading. He was holding his wife's last wishes in his hands while she rested in the other room. It was awful being a witness and signing documentation that he would let her go if their baby's life was put in danger; it was a whole other thing for Don to read her last wishes. Don threw the papers to the side letting them flutter to the floor as he backed up against the large stainless steel refrigerator, sliding down it in a lump of sobs. "NO! FUCK NO!"