What We Never Knew We Needed

Chapter 41

Several days later, Meryl was laying in bed while reading the paper while Don was sitting in the recliner next to her working on his MacBook. "Don?"

"Yeah, Darl?" Don asked looking up. "Do you need something?"

Meryl raised her eyebrow. "I need lots of things."

"Meryl." Don laughed shaking his head at his wife; knowing she meant sex and to get out of that bed as she was already going crazy on bedrest.

Meryl winked at him. "Is tonight Peter's gallery opening?"

"Ummm..." Don said looking at his iCalendar. "Yeah, I guess it is. Why?"

Meryl continued to look at him. "We were going to go. You're still going aren't you?"

"Of course not." Don said closing his computer. "Once you were put on bed rest after Lily was born I gave the tickets away."

Meryl sighed as her heart hurt. "Baby, you shouldn't have done that. There is no reason you can't go."

"I'm especially not going now." Don said. "Not with you in the hospital."

Meryl couldn't help the tears that streamed out of her eyes. "This isn't fair to you. You have put everything on hold. Peter is one of your closest colleagues; and you're not going to his opening because of me. I thought you were going to have some pieces at his gallery opening."

"I do." Don nodded. "I gave them to him awhile ago. Besides, I don't need to be there just because my pieces are there."

Meryl was trying to put this all together. "So, it's an exhibition of your work?"

"Not just mine." Don shook his head. "Other people will have work there. It's not like I was going to speak or anything. If some pieces sell, great; if not, that's fine as well."

Meryl started crying. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, baby." Don said getting up on the bed and drying her tears. "Why are you crying?"

Meryl sighed. "You're putting your career on hold, again; all because of me."

"Baby, no I'm not. I never have. You have always supported me 100%; and we have helped each other keep the balance." Don said kissing away her tears. "It's just a few pieces; I have pieces at galleries all over the world; many of which I have never been to. Why is this such a big deal to you?"

Meryl looked at him as she tried to blink back tears. "Because you are giving up everything for me; to be with me and help me whenever I need it. You aren't leaving the hospital. I know you're barely sleeping. You surprised me with a trip to Connecticut. You are doing everything to make me comfortable. You appeared on the news to buy condoms because I needed for us to make love; and then were labeled a fucking adulterer. You let my brother beat the living hell out of you. You haven't gone to any Yankees games. You're doing all this for me; and what have I done for you? I can't even leave this damn bed."

"That is what you are doing for me." Don said with emotion. "You don't know what you have done for me? You give me an amazing life with wonderful children; and a beautiful granddaughter. You give me more love than I ever imagined I would ever receive. You give me laughter, joy, partnership and equality. You give me security. You give me purpose. I don't care about the Yanks or gallery openings. I would do anything for you. Darl, you are giving up things as well in order for you and our baby to be safe and healthy. I want and need to be with you every step of the way; not just for the two of you, but for me. I am EXACTLY where I want to be. You aren't making me give things up; you are giving me EVERYTHING."

Meryl didn't even bother to wipe away her tears. "That was a pretty good answer, Gummer."

"It's the truth." Don whispered with a kiss to her lips. "Listen baby, I know this bedrest thing sucks but we will make the most of it. I want you to stop worrying about me not getting out or doing things. We are in this together."