Endings and Beginnings

Chapter 58

Meryl came out of the bathroom in Don's hospital suite with a large smile on her face; today she, and the babies, would finally get to take Don home to their Tribecca apartment. She couldn't believe it had been almost a week since Don's accident. When she saw her husband trapped in a car that was bursting in flames she really thought they had lost him forever. Yes, he was missing 10 months worth of memories but she meant what she said: he was and always would be her Don Man. They were still deeply in love with each other, and their family, and that was all that truly mattered. All of his memories would come back. She knew they would. Her smile turned into a frown when she approached him and saw the look on his face. His face was etched with worry and concern and apprehension. She went over and placed a kiss on the top os his head as he was sitting on the side of his hospital bed. "Did I scare you, sweetheart? I'm sorry."

"Oh, hey Darl." Don said giving her a soft smile. "We should get the release papers here soon. Larry will be down in our car with the bases to the babies' seats; and then he'll take us home."

Meryl sat down next to him and laced her fingers through his. "Home." She noticed he didn't really smile. "Sweetheart, is this too soon? You don't seem very excited about finally getting to go home."

"I am." Don said cupping her head in his hands; he didn't want her to think he didn't want to be home with her and the babies. "I can't wait until we're all home."

Meryl gave him a soft smile. "You aren't very convincing. Remember, I know you better than you know yourself."

"I happen to like that about you." Don tried to flirt. "Except for now."

Meryl knew what that look was. "You're worried about me and the babies."

"I am." Don answered honestly. "I'm terrified that I am going to be too much for you. After all you had to have surgery again because you were pulling my body from a fiery car crash when you haven't even been released to pick up both babies at once yet."

Meryl pressed her forehead to his. "I would do that again and again and again if it meant you are here with me and our children; and don't act like you wouldn't."

"I would; no question." Don said strongly as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "It's just you're still recovering from all these surgeries, we have two newborn babies who need you and you still need to rest."

Meryl knew this was all because he was worried about her; just as she was worried about him. "First of all, our babies, ALL of them, need you; and I do too. You will be helping me, I know that, Don Man; and I promise to rest with you. I know you are afraid you will be too much for me; but you NEVER are. Liz and Maeve and the girls have food prepared for us. Besides, I still have so much frozen from when I had Mags and Brady. The house is clean. Which means we can spend lots of quality time together; all 4 of us."

"You promise I won't be too much?" Don asked; still concerned.

Meryl brushed her lips across his; and then she deepened the kiss once their eyes locked. "You are NEVER too much for me, Donald Gummer. Besides, I know we will all rest better once we are home together. The babies can get back on a schedule. Hal even said that being home might help you remember."

"I don't want you to be disappointed if I don't." Don said sadly. "I'm trying to prepare myself for that possibility as well."

Meryl shook her head as she kissed his lips again and again and again. "I want your memories back for YOU. With or without them you are still my Don Man; and the man I love more than anyone in this world. You are still the remarkable father to our children."

"And you're still my girl." Don smiled with a kiss to her lips. "Where are those papers? It's time to go home."

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