To Everything, There Is A Season

Chapter 66

Everyone had a wonderful time catching up and eating the wonderful pie Meryl had made. Mike and Maggie were so happy not to only see their Larry, Liz, Suzie, Sammy, and Henry; but to also catch up with Harry, Mary, Third, Maeve and of course to meet baby Abe. Don absolutely loved how his "chosen family", the Browns, had become so close to his other family, the Streeps. As soon as the Browns had all met Meryl they accepted her into their fold immediately, which meant more to him than anything especially considering how his parents were, and it meant so much to them that it was the same with her parents and brothers and partners. He loved watching Maggie hold Sammy of course, but also Abe. Their families would be tied together forever, and that gave Don great peace. Meryl had excused herself to clean up the dessert dishes, absolutely refusing when Don said he would help her because she wanted him to have time with the Browns. Soon, Third and Maeve left with baby Abe after Meryl made a care package of leftovers for them. Abe wasn't even a week old yet, and they were exhausted, so grateful to Don and Meryl for hosting them, and went home. Harry and Mary soon followed as they would be going back to Jersey, and wanted to get back before dark which was earlier than usual. Meryl was enjoying snuggle time with Sammy while Maggie played with Henry and Suzie and Liz relaxed. Meryl smiled as she rubbed her cheek on the baby's bald head. "He really is a good baby, Lizzie."

"They say that NICU babies can be more fussy, but he isn't. We lucked out with him and Suzie." Liz smiled at her daughter who was working on a puzzle with her grandmother and Henry. "I hope we're as lucky with the next one."

Maggie's head popped up when she heard that. "Another baby?"

"I wub babies." Henry smiled his father's smile. "Aight, Mama?"

Meryl smiled softly at her husband. "Yes you do but you are mine and Daddy's baby."

"I no baby." Henry said strongly causing everyone to smile at Meryl. "I wig woy."

Meryl nodded at her son. "Yes, you are a big boy."

"Back to this baby thing." Maggie smiled. "When?"

Liz shook her head with a laugh. "Mom, I just had Sammy and he has only been home for a couple of weeks, so not next week. Years down the road."

"You and Larry are such wonderful parents." Meryl gleed. "That's wonderful you want to have more."

Liz reached over and squeezed Meryl's leg. "It will happen for you when the time is right."

"She is right, honey." Meryl had talked to both Liz and Maggie about her frustrations over not being pregnant yet. "I believe the universe is just waiting for the right baby for you and Don. Maybe it is the universe's way of saying the timing isn't right yet?"

Meryl couldn't help but smile and chuckle at her husband's chosen mother. "You sound just like my husband, that's what he keeps telling me. I know he's also worried that I haven't healed completely."

"That's our Don." Maggie winked at Meryl. "Honey, you sustained a lot of damage; I am just so glad the doctors have given you a clean bill of health."

Meryl nodded. "Me too, because if not, then my husband wouldn't let us practice the making a baby thing."

"You two seem really good." Liz smiled as she reached for a throw on the couch and covered herself up. "Better than ever."

Meryl smiled broadly at that statement. "We are. Thank goodness he's okay. The doctor hasn't released him yet, and he's still taking the medications and has chest pain on occasion, but thank goodness he's going to be fine."

"That's because of you, sweetie." Maggie smiled. "Thank you so much for calling us about his hospital stay, it meant so much to us. He really is one of us, you know."