Meryl and Don-Love and Only Love Chapter 32, Part 1
Jumping out of the bed she was sharing with her big sister, Mamie, Gracie Jane ran into the living room of the suite where her family was staying in Indianapolis for Christmas, her eyes were big as saucers as the saw a pile of presents and stockings. She ran back into the bedroom and patted her sisters cheeks.
"Mai! Mai!" Gracie said excited. Mamie turned over, so Gracie got on in the other side of the bed and started jumping up and down. "SANTA CAME! SANTA CAME!" She yelled excitedly.
"Go back to sleep." Henry moaned from the floor in his sleeping bag.
"PRESENTS?!" Mamie said excitedly as she got up.
"Let's get Mommy and Daddy!" Grace said excitedly as she ran out of the room towards the room where their parents were sleeping.
***
Meryl and Don were fast asleep. Meryl was laying cuddled up to her husband's side with her head on his chest and her arm over his waist. After having their own private Christmas celebration in their room the night before they got dressed and watched a movie while they were waiting to put out the kids' presents. It didn't take as long to set out the kids' presents as it does when they were at home. They only brought a few presents for each since they had to fly. When they were done they went to bed holding each other. Both were exhausted from the events of the day, and Meryl was tired since she was nearing the end of her first trimester. Mamie and Grace ran into the bedroom and jumped on top of their parents. When Don felt them on the bed he immediately brought his knees up towards his chest to protect himself. They were partly awake and his move made Meryl smile.
"SANTA CAME!" Grace yelled.
"PRESENTS! STOCKINGS!" Mamie added as they were jumping up and down on their parents bed.
"Okay! Okay!" Meryl said laughing and turning to press her stomach against her husband's back as he turned over, to protect her pregnant belly from her excited daughters.
"You two go wake your brother and sit on the couch. No peeking!" He said laughing as his daughters jumped off their bed to get their brother.
Don turned over to look at Meryl. "You're getting good at protecting yourself, there babe." She laughed.
"It's instinct. Gotta protect the goods so the wife doesn't get upset with me." Don winked.
"Good, because I plan on enjoying those goods later." She winked making her husband laugh.
"How are you feeling today?" He asked with a kiss to her lips as he got up out of bed.
"Actually, really good. No nausea and I feel rested. Must be the time I spent with my husband last night." She said getting out of bed and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Good, I'm glad." He said kissing her and then throwing on a pair of Yale sweatpants as Meryl put on his Yale sweatshirt.
"I got the camera." She said as she took it out of the bag.
"Well, let's get this Christmas started." He smiled.
***
Meryl was relieved that they were both so relaxed and happy that morning. She smiled as they walked out to find Henry lying on the couch with the two youngest jumping up and down. It was 7 AM and Meryl and Don couldn't believe they all got to sleep that late on a Christmas morning. They immediately let them open their stockings and presents. The girls got some dolls, books, and clothes. While Henry got a science kit, an art set (courtesy of his father), some books, and games for his Game-Boy. When they were done Meryl and Don had one last surprise for them. Don looked at her and went to sit beside her and took her hand in his.
"Is that it?" Henry asked disappointed.
"You have more presents at home and I am sure you will get some today at Grandma and Grandpa's." She said as she felt her husband tense beside her and Meryl squeezed his hand.
"Your mom and I do have one other present for all of you." He smiled.
"Where is it?" Grace asked looking all around.
"Well, baby, you can't see it." Meryl laughed.
"Yet." Don smiled.
"What is it?" Mamie asked.
Meryl looked at Don and he nodded for her to continue. "Well, this summer…" Meryl began.
"We're getting a pool?" Henry asked excitedly.
Meryl laughed. “We already have a pool in Connecticut and California.”
"We're going to Disney World?" Mamie asked.
"We're getting a pony!" Grace exclaimed making her parents laugh.
"Sorry, kids, none of those is the present." Don laughed.
"You will have a brand new baby brother or sister." Meryl beamed.
"Your mom is pregnant and is going to have a baby." Don added smiling.
"ANOTHER BABY! GROSS!" Henry exclaimed.
"Yay, a baby." Mamie added.
"Well, where is it?" Grace asked looking all around.
"Yes, another baby. Now, Henry Wolfe, you are such a great big brother. A baby is a wonderful thing. You can teach her or him to ride a bike, play the guitar that you are learning to play, or to play video games." Don said smiling. "Gracie, it's in your mommy's belly." Don said placing his hand on Meryl's stomach.
"Mommy, why did you eat the baby?" Grace asked confused causing her parents to laugh.
“Gracie Bug, I didn't eat the baby. It's in my stomach growing and getting strong. Come here." She told her daughter as she leaned back against the cushions and Don lifted their daughter to sit on his lap. Meryl lifted up her sweatshirt a little bit as Don put Grace's hands on her stomach.
"The baby is in there." Don smiled. Even though it was their 4th baby the emotions and stages of the pregnancy never got old. "Hen, Mai, come here." He said.
It was in that moment that the Gummer family bonded as a family of six. All of their hands were on Meryl's stomach. A family that was created out of Meryl and Don's love. Meryl's hand went up to the mother's necklace that Don gave her the night before as she and Don locked gazes.
"I love you." He mouthed and she wrinkled her nose at him as her way of saying she loved him too.
Henry got bored. "Do I have to change diapers?" Henry asked as he went to look at his loot.
"You don't have to, son." Don said.
"All of you can do as much or as little as you want. This baby doesn't belong to me or your dad. This baby is a part of all of us." Meryl added.
"Can I play with my stuff?" Henry asked.
"Yes." Don laughed at his son. He was a great big brother, but this was old news for him. He was used to his mom being pregnant and whenever they brought a new baby home.
"Can I dress her up, Mommy?" Mamie asked, that sure got Henry's attention.
"A GIRL?! Another girl?" He asked.
"We don't know, son. We will be happy with a boy or girl. Right?" Don said trying to convince his son.
"Yeah, sure." He said going back to his stuff.
"You can help however you want." Meryl smiled.
"Mamie, play with me!" Grace said.
Meryl and Don laughed as they watched their two girls playing, and they laughed at their short attention span. "Well, that didn't go too bad." Don said.
"No, it didn't. It went about like I expected." Meryl laughed.
Don turned to look at her and placed his left hand on her stomach. "It actually seems real now." Don said in wonder.
"As if the nausea, constant peeing, and hormonal waves didn't make it real already." She laughed.
"No, I mean it Meryl. In 6 months we are going to have a new little baby to hold and love. I can't wait to see him or her." He beamed.
"Come with me." She said standing up and grabbing his hand.
"What?" He asked standing up and following her.
"I want to give you your Christmas present, or part of it." She said leading him into the bedroom.
"Should I close the door? Get naked?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows.
"Yeah, Don, with our kids a few feet away on Christmas morning." She shook her head as she grabbed a package from the night stand. "Merry Christmas, love." She said sitting next to him on the bed and handed him the gift.
He opened the box and his eyes misted over at what he found. He pulled out a sonogram picture that was in a frame that said Daddy. "Is this?" He asked looking up at her.
"Yeah, this is our baby." She smiled.
"Oh, WOW! No matter how many times I see one of these it never gets old." He said not taking his eyes off the picture.
Meryl laid her head on his shoulder as they looked at the picture. "To think, we created that." She said placing a kiss on his neck.
"When did you get this?" He asked.
"At my check-up last week. I asked them to do one so I could give you a picture for Christmas.” Meryl beamed while she stared at her gorgeous husband.
"Why didn't you tell me? I would have gone with you." He said looking at her.
"I know, babe. But that would have ruined the Christmas surprise." She smiled as she stroked his cheek. "I know it's not much, but-"
She was cut off by her husband pressing his lips to hers. He gazed into her eyes as her pulled away. "This is the most amazing Christmas gift you have ever given me. You make me so happy. " He gushed.
"Good. You make me unbelievably happy too." She smiled as she kissed his hand that was in hers. "We need to remember that today, and not let your dad affect our Christmas." She added.
"How are we supposed to spend all day with him? I am still so angry." Don said.
Meryl stroked his neck. "I know baby, but he can't touch us. He can't touch what we share, what we are. He has tried and has failed every single time.”
"You are one smart and tough cookie, Mrs. G. You sure you will be okay today?" He asked. "You were pretty shaken up yesterday."
"Well, a night spent in my husbands arms calmed me. I was just scared of losing you and what we have. But you reminded me that no one and nothing can touch us."
"You aren't going to lose me, never gonna happen. I am glad you feel better, and you're right, nothing can touch us." He said placing a long kiss on her lips. He broke away when he heard your stomach growl. "I think Baby Gummer here is telling me they're hungry. Want me to order some room service?" He offered.
"That would be great. I am going to hop in the shower." She said getting up.
"Daddy Gummer will be on kid detail." He said making her laugh as he went to see what their children were up to.
They had eased one another's fears; and even though they were shaken by what Don's father said, they were stronger than ever.
***
Jane Gummer was in the kitchen getting things ready for the hoards of Gummers to descend upon her house. She was worried about Don and Meryl. She didn't know exactly what her husband said to them; whatever it was, was bad enough for Don to check him family into a hotel and shook Meryl up. Her husband, James, came into the kitchen.
"Is Donald going to get off his high horse long enough to wish his family a Merry Christmas?" James asked pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"James, you are my husband and I love you, but this has to STOP. I don't know what exactly happened between you and Don but you will stop now. We have been down this road before; I will not go down it again” Jane said exasperated.
"Oh, please, Jane. He is being dramatic as always." James said sitting down with the paper.
"No, you continually put your son down, and I am tired of it. This time you ran him and my grandchildren out of my house. Don is a remarkable husband, father, and son." She said causing James to scoff. "His main priority is his family. I am incredibly proud of how he turned out despite his upbringing. He and Meryl adore each other. What I wouldn't give for you to look at me the way they look at each other. This is a happy day, we have a new Gummer baby to celebrate, so stay clear of Don and Meryl today." She said wiping her hands on her apron and walking away.
"That boy, I swear." James muttered under his breath and shaking his head.
***
Meryl and Don loaded the kids up and drove to his parents house. The kids were really excited and ran into the house in front of their parents. Don pulled Meryl back when she reached the steps leading up to the front porch."You okay?" He asked as he held her back.
"It will be fine, babe. It's only a couple of hours. He can't break what we have." She said as she cupped his cheek.
"I know. You aren’t to be alone with him. Also, just remember they are all lies and I don't believe them. I love you." He said as he kissed her palm that was resting on his cheek.
"I love you too. Let's go." She smiled as they walked in holding hands.
***
Meryl, Don, and their kids enjoyed a great afternoon with his family. Luckily lunch was buffet style and they sat throughout the house so they didn't have to sit at the same table as his father; Don made sure their kids didn’t either. Don was shocked and relieved that his father was staying away. Later that day while all the kids were playing and the adults were talking, Don decided he wanted to tell their family the good news. "You sure you still want to do this?" Meryl asked him in private when Don told her that now was the time.
"Yeah, we talked about telling all the family today." He said.
"I know, but that was before. I don't need your dad calling me a whore in front of the whole family." Meryl admitted why she was hesitant.
"Baby, if he starts to open his mouth I will stop him. I will not let him say one word about you. You know that, right?" He asked
"Of course I do, you proved that yesterday; and everyday for the past 12 years.” She smiled.
"I don't want him to ruin this time for us, for our family. What do you say?" He asked.
Meryl loved seeing him so happy and excited. He was right, they shouldn't let his father ruin this exciting time in their lives. "Let's do it." She smiled placing a kiss on his lips.
Don took Meryl's hand and she followed him into the family room where all of the adults were visiting, including his dad.
"EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!" Don yelled to the room. "I am sorry to interrupt but Meryl and I have some news." He smiled as she wrapped her arm around his waist.
"Spit it out, bro." Don's brother Jack said.
Don placed his hand on her stomach. "I am happy to announce that Meryl will be bringing yet another Gummer baby into the world." Don said looking at his father. "We're pregnant!" Don announced.
"Good job, Donny!" Don youngest brother Danny said making everyone laugh.
The room erupted in claps, yells, and whistles as everyone congratulated Don and Meryl on the upcoming addition to their already very large family. A little while later Don saw his wife walk out from the bathroom and she looked tired. "Morning sickness?" He asked.
"No, I'm fine. Just tired." She smiled.
"Well, let's go grab the kids and go back to the hotel. We can get room service and eat by the pool, the kids will love it. You can just lay in a chair." He said.
"Sounds great. Let's go." She smiled.
She and Don were walking down the hallway when they came face to face with his father. Don's arm instinctively went around her waist while his other hand rested on her stomach.
"That was quite an announcement, Donald." James said.
Meryl felt Don tense and knew he wanted to say or do something. Meryl put her hand on his chest. "Come on babe, let's get the kids." She said.
Don looked at her and smiled. He didn't want to ruin their time. He took her hand in his, kissed it and they went to load up the kids. They said their good-byes to his family and said they would see them the next day at his brother Jack's house. He knew his dad wouldn't be there-he never went to any functions unless they were in his home. It took awhile to round up the kids as they didn't want to leave but were excited to see their cousins the next day. Once they were settled in the car and headed down the interstate Meryl looked at her husband and smiled. "You did good with your dad." She said massaging his neck.
"Because of you." He smiled.
"Well, it's over. Since all of the other activities will be at one of your brothers' houses or at a restaurant you know he won't be there. Let's enjoy our family." She said.
He lifted her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. "I already do, babe, I already do.”
***