Endings and Beginnings

Chapter 7

"If this isn't a sight for sore eyes." Don said as Dr. Abbott wheeled him in a wheelchair into Meryl's room where the babies were laying on the bed in front of her.

Meryl's face lit up as tears of relief streamed down her cheeks. She moved Brady closer to his sister on Meryl's side of the bed to give Don room so he could get in the bed beside her. "Don Man!"

"We're going to get going." Liz said kissing her friend's cheek and whispering in her ear. "Don't be too hard on him."

Meryl nodded as she accepted Larry's kiss to her cheek. "Thank you both so much; and please, thank your parents for me."

"We will." Larry hugged Don and then whispered in his ear. "Be open with her."

Don nodded as he hugged Liz. "Thank you both for staying with them."

"Here you go, Don." Dr. Abbott said helping Don into bed.

Meryl immediately pulled Don to her; hugging him tightly and kissing all over his face. "Thank God you're okay; I was scared to death when you were gone so long. I thought maybe this was too hard and too much and that you left..."

"Never." Don gave her a strong and needy kiss on her lips. "I'm so sorry I worried you; that is the last thing I wanted. You all are okay; really?"

Meryl nodded as she ran her fingers through his hair; just so happy to see and touch him. "We were; I think we need to talk, though. Sweetheart, whatever is going on can't continue. You need to rest; especially with two newborn babies."

"I thought you would want to be in on my conversation with Dr. Abbott." Don smiled as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "So, I asked him to wait to rehash everything until we were up here.

Meryl nodded. "Very much so; thank you."

"Would you like to do this now?" Dr. Abbott asked sitting in a chair as Don grabbed Meryl's hand in his and he nodded. "Okay. Don, start by telling me what happened."

Don took a deep breath. "I haven't been sleeping. I haven't slept since the babies were born." Don looked at Meryl. "Please don't be mad."

"I'm concerned, sweetheart." Meryl said softly. "Not mad."

Don nodded. "That night after they were born I would try to sleep but every time I closed my eyes I saw Meryl flatlining and drifting away. I could feel her lifeless body in my arms. I would tell myself she was fine; but it happens every time I close my eyes. Then I would wake up in a start; waking her up. The feeling of failing her and the babies was too great that I decided just not to sleep. I didn't want to bother them. For 9 months I have said I wouldn't let anything happen, and it did; so if by me staying awake keeps it from happening again then I was going to do it."

"That's just it, baby; you didn't let it happen." Meryl choked as she had silent tears streaming down her face. "You knew something was wrong before I even did; or the doctors and nurses and were demanding they get Brady out of me. Then when I did flatline they had to physically remove you from me; I know that, I felt it. Sweetheart, you did save me. It isn't going to happen again."

Don nodded. "Logically, I know that."

"Don, as I explained to Meryl earlier you have been through a lot." Dr. Abbott explained.

Don sighed as he shook his head. "I get tired of people saying that; I haven't gone through as much as she has."

"In some ways you have gone through more than me, Don Man.." Meryl said. "Yeah, my body has been through a lot physically; but you had to witness me dying, you had to wait, you weren't allowed to see our son or be there for our daughter's birth. Emotionally and mentally you have been through a great deal. And as much as you get tired of people saying that you've been through a lot; it makes me sad when you won't acknowledge how much you have been through."