Endings and Beginnings

Chapter 43

Later Don and Meryl were laying in their hospital bed both holding a baby. After the excitement of earlier, Meryl convinced Liz and Larry to go get some rest. They knew that Don and Meryl needed some time alone; and that would be the best thing in the world for both of them as well as for Margaret and Bradley. Dr. Reid later came in and said that Don's emotions, confusion and even mild paranoia was all a part of his head trauma; and that it would all get better as his brain swelling went down. Don was constantly apologizing to Meryl and every time she would told him it wasn't necessary. Things would get better. Meryl looked over at him, sitting as close to her husband as possible without actually sitting on his lap; and tears came to her eyes as it looked like he was trying to memorize their daughter and at how gingerly he was holding her. She swallowed back her tears so she could speak. "I've sure missed this."

"Me too, baby." Don said kissing Mags and then his son and then his wife until she started chuckling. "Was the kiss that bad?"

Meryl placed a longer and harder kiss on his lips. "Never. I know it's not funny; but baby you don't remember this. So, how can you miss it?"

"True, my Yale and Vasser Graduate smarty pants wife." Don winked making her feel good that he was joking and wasn't upset by what she said. "I know these two were a surprise; since I pretty much remember right up until that amazing sex you referred to, and I'm still pissed I can't remember that."

Meryl smiled at him. "That's my Don Man. Maybe once we are both healed then I can recreate that night for you without the conception of our small humans that is."

"I think that's a great idea." Don winked with a kiss to her cheek. "What I meant was even though I don't remember these moments with them; I've missed being a parent with you since our older ones seem to THINK that they don't need us anymore. I've missed the partnership we shared while we were raising the kids. I mean, I know we still shared it; it was just different with having an empty nest."

Meryl smiled at him; knowing exactly what he meant. "So, you're okay with this? I mean I know it's a hell of a shock and you don't remember our journey to get to this point..."

"I am more than okay with this, baby; I am so happy." Don choked as he raised Mags just a bit until his ribs hurt him. "Look at her; look at them. We made them. We made them because of our unbelievable love after a stupid fight; and against all odds, I am sure, they are here with us. We get to do this all over again. Thank you, baby."

Meryl let the tears stream down her face as she touched his with her free hand. "Seeing that smile on your face, AGAIN, makes it all worth it; as well as getting to hold them and love on them as well as getting to hold and love on you. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father."

"I have the most amazing wife and partner there is." Don winked with a kiss to her lips and then he noticed her crying when she laid her head on his shoulder. "Darl? What is it, baby?"

Meryl looked up at him. "I was so afraid I lost you; that we lost you. That you wouldn't remember our lives at all. Or that you would be gone. I've been so scared; and just these moments of us in bed holding them makes me so happy."

"Me too, love." Don lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. "You are why I'm here, Mary Louise. You are my hero. You brought me back; and now we get to do this parenting thing all over again."

Meryl smiled through her tears. "I know you don't remember this but you are why I'm here; why our amazing Bradley Michael and Margaret Natalie are here. You brought me back after I flatlined from Brady. You were screaming at the doctors that something was wrong with me before they even recognized something was wrong with me. I could hear you pulling me back."