All My Life

Chapter 11

Don grabbed two gift bags that he had managed to put together without his wife's knowledge. He was not only proud he put them together without her knowing; but that he was also able to intercept the delivery of the gifts without her having a clue. He managed to carry them out to the den where he knew she was with the babies. He breathed a sigh of relief when he thought about how the rest of the day went fairly well after they had some one on one time with Charlie and Charlotte; he and Meryl were both relieved that both Charlie and Charlotte seemed more like themselves once they got back to the apartment. When they got back the family had managed to decorate the whole apartment and even cleaned it for Don and Meryl; which almost made Meryl cry. They ordered in dinner and had a great night with everyone. Mamie, Grace and Louisa decided to have a sleepover up in the media room with Charlotte and Charlie complete with sleeping bags and everything; which Charlie and Charlotte were really excited about. Don and Meryl gave Charlie and Charlotte extra hugs and kisses before they went up. Meryl was worried about them having another nightmare; but her girls promised they would come get her if needed. Don hoped maybe they could all have a happy and fun rest of the evening. He smiled as he seemed to have appeared in the den without his wife noticing. She had the babies on the sofa and was talking to them. "Isn't the tree beautiful? I love Thanksgiving and Christmas; and you're going to love it as well. Listen my amazing little angels, I know things have been kind of different these past 24 hours; and I know since you've been born there's been lots of ups and downs. I just want you both to know what no matter what happens in your life that your daddy and I love you more than anything. That you both have completed and rounded out our little Gummer family circle. We love you both, your siblings, Suzie, Lily and each other more than you can ever imagine. Because we love our family so much that when we hear of other children not getting the love and attention we give to you, your brother and sisters we want them to feel love and safety. I hope you two understand; and I hope you also know that Daddy and I don't love anyone like we love you and your siblings. With everyone upstairs maybe we can have a quiet night with our favorite guy."

"And just who is that bastard?" Don teased as he decided to make his presence known. "Is someone trying to worm their way into my wife and babies' hearts?"

Meryl smiled as she watched him hobble over. "Never; I was talking about you."

"That's a relief." Don winked. "What are you three cuties doing in here?"

Meryl smiled as he came to sit down next to her and the babies. "Just looking at the beautiful Christmas tree."

"It is beautiful." Don smirked. "But it looks kind of bare."

Meryl's eyes got big. "With all the ornaments, the kids ornaments, we have collected over our 34 years together?"

"Well, there are a few ornaments missing." Don said as he handed her the two bags. "These are really for Margaret and Bradley; but I thought maybe you could open it for them. Plus a little something for their amazing and selfless mother."

Meryl smiled when she looked in the first bag that he pointed to and found two 'Baby's First Christmas' ornaments in it. Each brass ornament had a baby laying on a cloud with three discs hanging from it; and each disc had the baby's birth date, birth time and birth weight and length on it. On the cloud of each ornament was the baby's name. All of their kids had 'First Christmas' ornaments and they were all treasured. Then every year, each child got a new ornament; which was a tradition she knew they would continue with the babies since they still did that with their kids. They even ordered one for Lily once they knew about her existence; but before they knew Meryl was pregnant. They actually ordered 2 for Lily: one for their tree and one for Lily's tree. Then when each kid got their first place they were given their ornaments for their tree. "These are beautiful, sweetheart; thank you."