All My Life

Chapter 84

Don and Meryl were driving to the rehearsal dinner in their brand new black 2013 Audi Q5 SUV Meryl had INSISTED on buying him after his car was completely totaled in his car wreck. She had arranged for the purchase before the insurance money even came in; and she bought it with every single bell and whistle there was insisting on him having the best since his dream car went up in flames not long after they had bought it. Don had tried to tell her it was too much; but she insisted on buying him his dream car as he was her dream. Meryl couldn't help but think about that as they drove to the Yacht Club with the babies asleep in the back while everyone else took their own cars, and Don's parents were with Mamie, Grace and Louisa. Meryl wasn't listening to anything her husband was saying as his hand rested on her thigh and her hand rested on his. She couldn't help but think about how soon they would be turning the corner where their lives almost went up in smoke-literally.

***

"I can't believe how well Dad is doing. Mom said all his labs have been coming back great. He hardly gets sick from the treatment. He is way ahead in his physical..." Don turned a corner and immediately felt his wife tense and tremble under his touch and looked over to see her wiping away tears. "Darl, what is it? What's wrong?"

Meryl shook her head. "I'm fine; were you saying something about your parents?"

"This is it, isn't it?" Don realized where he was and immediately pulled over, putting on his hazards so he didn't create another accident. He immediately pulled her into his arms. He would never fully understood what she went through when she drove up to his accident and saw his car going up in flames. "Shhh...it's okay, I'm here because of you."

Meryl buried her face into his neck. "I'm sorry, I've been trying not to think about it. It just seems like since we left the house I kept thinking just a few more miles until we turn the corner..."

"Baby, I'm here." Don pulled away as he pressed his forehead to hers and wiped away her tears. "You risked your life to save mine. There is no way I would be here now if it weren't for you; and I don't just mean as in being alive. I also mean that you loved me through the amnesia through the questions through the coma through the doubt. Through all the fucking shit with Rebecca. You never ONCE left my side in all senses. I love you so much."

Meryl gave him a teary smile. "I love you too, my Don Man; and you have done all that for me and more. I'm sorry, I've been trying to put it..."

"Hey, there is no reason for you to apologize; I've been thinking about it as well even though I've tried to ignore it." Don said making his wife laugh at that was usually how he dealt with things."We're getting married again. Our babies are asleep in the back seat of a car you spent way too much money on for me."

Meryl shook her head and laughed; they never thought of it as his money or her money or his car or her car. "Our money; and it's your dream car."

"You're my dream; period." Don said smartly and was happy to see her smile. "You feel better?"

Meryl nodded as she looked in the back seat at their babies. "I do. I can't wait to make some new memories here."

"How's this for starters?" Don whispered as he pried her lips open with his, teasing his tongue into her mouth; moving it in and out, stringing her tongue with his until he knew they were getting too caught up and he pulled away. "How was that?"

Meryl smirked at him. "That was definitely a start."

"We'll continue this later." Don winked as he carefully pulled back onto the street. "We better get to this dinner before they send out the troops looking for us."

***

Don and Meryl had rented out a private dining room for their non-rehearsal dinner and it was packed full with Don, Meryl, their kids, Third and Maeve with Abe and Maude, Brad and Jane, Mike and Maggie, Don's cousin Stacey and her husband George, Larry's sister Annie and her husband Bobby, Don's brothers and wives and children. Tom, Di and their kids would be arriving the next day along with Roy and Dana's kids. When Don and Meryl had originally planned their wedding they had wanted it small, but that was impossible with such a large family and not wanting to leave anyone out. Don and Meryl tried to visit with everyone the best they could during the cocktail time and now everyone was finishing up their meal. Lily, Brady and Mags were being passed from family member to family member. With all the stimulation, Don hoped it would wear Brady and Mags out so they would sleep well for Meryl since he wouldn't be there to help. As dinner was winding down, Meryl leaned over to Don. "Did we really insist on paying for everyone's meals? They all have good jobs, they can afford it."