Endings and Beginnings

Chapter 45

"Don Man?" Meryl said after she got off the phone with their kids the next morning. She noticed her husband was just looking at the babies in his lap and wasn't saying much. She knew ALL of his moods; and she was pretty sure she knew what this was about.  "Sweetheart, are you okay?"

Don looked at his wife and tried to smile. "I'm sorry, Darl; were you saying something?"

"The kids are coming by here soon." Meryl said softly. "Baby, you just woke up from what was basically a coma yesterday so if you don't feel up to it then I'll tell them to wait. The doctor said not to overwhelm you with visitors."

Don nodded. "I want to see them; I do. Their our kids; our other babies. It's just..."

"It's just what, sweetheart?" Meryl asked turning to him and placing her hand on his cheek. "Talk to me. You must have so many things swirling around that brilliant head of yours."

Don sighed. "I'm just nervous. I mean you've told me about how they reacted when they found out you were pregnant.  Then you told me about mine and Hen's conversation after we brought the babies home and my dream. And you've told me some of what you know that happened with them before the accident."

"Maybe I shouldn't have told you all that." Meryl sighed. "I just don't want to keep anything from..."

Don shook his head at her. "No baby, I'm so glad you told me. Please don't be afraid to tell me about anything that happened. I'm just nervous. I mean if they think these things about me..."

"I read you the letter from them, Don Man." Meryl sat closer to him. "They're just terrified of losing us; of losing this amazing family we have created. Does it make sense; no? But they sure got an earful from me the day of the accident; and they've grown from all of this, I really believe that or I probably wouldn't be as okay with them coming up this soon as I am. While they didn't make you crash; they certainly didn't help. It's because you have been such an amazing father to them."

Don shrugged. "I guess; I'm just trying to make sense of all of it."

"I am too, Don Man." Meryl agreed. "They do love you so much."

Don nodded. "I know they do; and I love them more than anything just as I love you, Margaret and Bradley."

"I know that, sweetheart." Meryl assured him with a kiss to his head. "What is it?"

Don shrugged. "It's hard for me to explain."

"Try." Meryl smiled at him.

Don took a deep breath. "I just don't want them or anyone to think that I would hurt you and my children; that I wouldn't protect all of you until my last breath."

"I will kick anyone's asses if they do." Meryl said as he gave her a small smile. "There's that smile I love so damn much. They know that, baby; everyone does. Really. Besides, I better hear another apology from them."

Don reached for her hand. "You'll be with me? I'm sorry; I just feel all over the place and don't think I can face any of this without you."

"I am not going anywhere, sweetheart; not unless I'm kicked out and even then they can't keep me away from you." Meryl choked.

Don nodded with a smile. "You're about the only thing that feels safe and familiar to me; and I'm glad."

"Me too, baby." Meryl smiled down at their babies and then back at him. "How about a story?"

Don leaned his head on her shoulder feeling better by the second. "I love hearing you tell a story."

"It's about something the kids did for you while I was recovering from the amnio." Meryl said as he nodded; as she had told him about the amnio test. "I wasn't there in the beginning but you told me all about it and I was there towards the end of this memory."