All My Life

Chapter 36

Don and Meryl soon found themselves in a back corner of Cafe Patachou; and Don noticed that they were the only people sitting in their section of the restaurant. "What did you do? Buy out the whole restaurant?"

"No, silly." Meryl flirted as she peeked into the stroller to make sure the babies were still asleep. "The other side of the restaurant is hopping; that's why we came in on this side."

Don reached over to grab her hand. "You don't always need to my protect me, you know?"

"Well, isn't that just the pot calling the kettle black?" Meryl teased him; knowing he was ALWAYS trying to protect her and their children, that's what they did. That was marriage. "This is about you this morning; and I don't want people gawking. I also don't want people trying to get pictures of the babies or looking at them or breathing on them." She said making Don laugh. "Besides, it's been a really difficult 24 hours for you; and I was hoping this could be sort of an escape for you."

Don stood up and leaned over the table to kiss her lips. "And I appreciate that."

"Now, none of that." A man said approaching their table. "You'll have people taking pictures before you know it."

Don smiled as he greeted his former classmate, friend and owner of the cafe', Jeff Hoover. "Hey! Thank you so much for conspiring with my wife."

"It's what we do best." Meryl smiled as she greeted Jeff with a hug and air kiss. "Really though; thank you for organizing this for us."

Jeff waved her off. "Don't think anything of it; it's always good to see you and your brood. Though I think there are two new ones that I haven't met yet."

"Bradley Michael." Don said proud moving Bradley and Margaret's blankets a little bit. "Margaret Diane."

Jeff smiled at his friend. "You old dog." Then he looked at Meryl. "Sorry, Mer."

"We're used to it." Meryl beamed. "We're also pretty proud and excited to have these two. You can hold them if you'd like."

Don helped place the babies in Jeff's arms as he held them; he then looked sincerely at Don. "I heard about Brad. How is he doing? I talked to Bill yesterday."

"It was pretty touch and go last night." Don sighed. "Actually extremely touch and go."

Meryl reached out for Don's hand and squeezed it. "He had a very successful surgery last night; and this morning the breathing tube was out and he was even able to say a few words."

"The best outcome so far we could have hoped for." Don breathed. "He is far from out of the woods; but there is some light where as yesterday it was hard to see the light."

Jeff was swaying back and forth as he had the babies in his arms. "Is there anything I can do for you all? Food? Birthday dessert? Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Thanks." Don smiled as he shook his head. "Really, it was just so nice of you to arrange some privacy for the 4 of us this morning. I really appreciate it."

Jeff handed the babies back to their father as he put them back in their stroller. "Brad is a regular here; and we are all worried about him. Please tell him he's in our thoughts and prayers."

"Thank you, Jeff." Meryl smiled. "We appreciate the offer."

Jeff nodded. "I need to get back to work; but I'm serious ANYTHING you all need. Today's brunch is on the house."

"No, absolutely not." Meryl said. "I know you've lost out on some tables this morning because of clearing this section. You wouldn't let me rent it out; please let me at least buy our meals."