To Everything, There Is A Season

Chapter 13

Meryl woke up with a smile on her face when she realized her husband's arms were still around her from behind when the sun streaming in through the Venetian blinds in their bedroom woke her up. Meryl stretched and smiled when she was reminded that they were home in Manhattan; the sound of the busy streets 15 floors below them reminded her that they were indeed back in Manhattan. That sound might be disturbing to most people, but to her and Don it was home. Manhattan was where she started her career, it was where she met Don and they started their family; she knew that no matter where their careers took them that Manhattan would always be home. She felt wonderful after the night with her husband, son and their friends; and of course, the time spent in the bath with Don. Don. She smiled as she turned in his arms and cuddled up to his chest, kissing his neck. She didn't want to wake him up but just had this need to be as close to him as possible. Tears appeared to her eyes when she not only thought of how much she loved him; but how much he loved her, how he protected her and Henry and EVERYTHING he was and did for them. Meryl was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't realize her husband had woken up, feeling her tears on his chest and placing a kiss on her head. "Darl, are you okay?"

"I'm perfect." Meryl choked as she leaned up to place a long and lingering kiss on his lips. "Morning, baby."

Don smiled as he cupped her head in his hands as he wiped her tears away. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"No, I was thinking about my dreams-you and Henry." Meryl said honestly as she snuggled up to him again. "And how much I love you both; and I am just so damn lucky to be your wife."

Don's concern turned into overwhelming love for his wife. "I'm the lucky one, and you and our family are my dream. You really are okay, baby?"

"I really am." Meryl whispered as she pressed her lips to his. "Thanks to you."

Don moaned as their kisses increased until he heard a familiar set of footsteps running down the hall, into their bedroom and jumping on them. "Mama! Dada! Mama! Dada! Me yup!"

"He's not the only one." Don teased his wife as he brought his knees up to his chest to protect his sensitive region. "But not anymore."

Meryl laughed as she sat up and took Henry into her arms. "There's my Gippy! Did you sleep well, baby?"

"I weep ig oy wed." Henry nodded proudly. "I weep, Mama."

Meryl smiled at Don who leaned over to kiss their son's head, sitting up himself, and ruffling Henry's hair. "We are so proud of you, bubs."

"I owe." Henry said making his parents laugh at how he said he knew his parents were proud of him. "I dweam."

Don looked at Meryl concerned as Henry continued to sit on his mother's lap. "You had a dream, buddy? What did you dream about?"

"I pwaint wike ou, Daddy!" Henry said proudly. "I pway twucks and twains. Woom woom!"

Meryl saw the relief sweep over Don's face. "Baby, go grab Colt and Mommy and Daddy will fix you breakfast."

"Tay, Mommy." Henry kissed his mother's cheek and then his father's. "On, Daddy, pway."

Don couldn't help but think that the little boy running out of their room was such a different little boy than the one who screamed for him and Meryl the day before. "I'll be right there, Hen Man."

"Baby, are you okay?" Meryl asked her husband, turning to him. "You looked like you could cry when he was telling us about his dream."

Don nodded with a watery smile. "He had a normal dream, M; he had a normal toddler dream. It wasn't about bad men or the dark or what that fucking bastard did to the two of you. It was just a normal little boy dream. You didn't have a nightmare. You didn't need the lights on."