Meryl and Don-Love and Only Love Chapter 32, Part 2
When they got back to the hotel they had room service by the pool and Don played with the kids while Meryl watched, laughed, and took pictures. The kids were exhausted because it was such a big and exciting day, so it didn't take them long to put them down for bed. Don was laying in bed as his wife was finishing up her nightly rituals in the bathroom flipping through the channels. "You want to order a movie?" Don called out to his wife.
"I had other ideas." She said as she posed herself in the doorway of the bathroom.
"What do you-" Don stopped when he saw his wife standing there in a green lace bra and panty set wearing a Santa hat. She was only in her third month so he could see the little bump that was protecting their baby.
"Merry Christmas, babe. Hope you like your present." She said in a sultry voice.
Don hadn't moved, he just laid there staring at his wife. "You are so beautiful." He said.
"Well, are you just going to lay there or do you want to open you present?" She asked.
That was all it took. Don was over to her in a shot. He put his hand on the small of her back and pulled her hard against him as he crushed his lips to hers as she took the santa hat off and threw it to the side. The kiss was so hot, so raw, that it literally took their breaths away. He pushed her against the wall and kissed his way, hungrily, down her chest. Meryl threw her head back to give him better access.
"Is that a candy cane in your boxers or are you happy to see me?" She asked.
He pulled away to look at her. "I'm very happy to see you." He smirked as he took in the sight before him. His eyes were memorizing every inch of her body, his eyes were hungry, sending a shiver down her spine. He kissed his way down her chest to her underwear, nuzzling and kissing around the waist band.
"I love how you look at me." She moaned at the sensation of his lips on her skin as she threaded her fingers through his hair and held his head close to her body.
"How is that?" He asked before he put his mouth on her underwear and pulled them off her body with his teeth.
"Like you want to devour me and I am the most beautiful woman in the world." She moaned.
He kissed his way back up her body to her chest as he reached around and freed her breasts from their constraints. "It's because I do and you are." He said as he paid special attention to her chest. She couldn't take it anymore, they needed each other.
She spun him around so his back was against the wall as she ran her tongue and lips down his chest to boxers as she tore his boxers from his body. He stepped out of them as he pulled her up hard against him and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he crushed his lips to hers. He carried her to the bed with her limbs wrapped around him and laid her on the bed.
"I want you on top, while we still can." She breathed.
He didn't need anymore incentive than that. He reached down and guided himself into her. Moans, groans, and screams were heard throughout their room as Don moved in and out of his wife.
"Harder, baby. I need you hard and deep." She groaned.
Don reached down and placed both legs on his shoulders and slammed back into her.
"HOLY SHIT!" She moaned at the sensation.
"How's that?" He asked tasting the skin on her neck.
"Perfect...don't stop." She moaned.
Their moans of pleasure were increasing and Don knew they needed to be quiet as to not wake up the kids. Don leaned down and captured her lips in his saying 'I love you' as their lips touched. It was a romantic move that never failed to capture her heart but it was also so their children wouldn't hear. The thrusts were coming faster and faster, harder and harder, deeper and deeper until they couldn't take it anymore. With their lips still connected they intercepted their moans of pleasure as they both came. Don collapsed to her side and took her in his arms.
"You...like...your...Christmas present?" She asked as she laid her head on his chest.
"You have to ask?" He asked making her laugh.
"This has been a good Christmas Don, despite everything. Just think, next year we will have a 6 month old." She smiled.
"I can't wait. I love you Mary Louise Gummer." He said with a kiss to her head.
"I love you, husband of mine." She smiled as he pulled the covers up over them and they fell into a relaxed and satiated sleep.
Life was going pretty good for the Gummers at the moment. Their family was happy and healthy. They were preparing for a new family. Don stood up to his father and protected his wife and children, and they were happier and more in love than ever. 1991 was going to be a great year.
***
Meryl walked into the bedroom in the hotel as Don was on the phone. “Mom, I don't know. Of course we want to see you and the family. He's going to stay away? I swear mom, if he doesn't. I don't care, Meryl's and the baby's health and well being are more important to me than anything. Okay, well let me talk to Meryl about this. Okay, bye." Don said hanging up as his wife came to sit next to him on the bed.
"What was that about?" She asked.
"Well, Jack's family has come down with the flu. They are moving the family lunch to the house. Mom still wants us to go over. I am not comfortable with it." He admitted.
"Don, the kids are excited to play with their cousins. Christmas went okay yesterday. I mean, he tried to talk to me, but you stopped it." She pointed out.
"I don't know; I have warned him, Mom has warned him, but he keeps pushing it. How many restraining orders have we taken out against him? He is the same old James; he hasn’t changed like everyone claims. You were incredibly upset the other day. I don't want to put you and the baby at risk; I won’t put any of you at risk. Not after what happened the other day; not after what happened when you were pregnant with Mamie and he pulled the same shit.” He said.
"Babe, I was upset because I was afraid you would believe him, and I was shocked that anyone could doubt my love or commitment to you or our family. What happened when I was pregnant with Mamie didn’t necessarily have to do with stress, it was an infection; and you took the best care of us in the world. He doesn't matter. All that matters is that YOU know the truth." She said getting teary again, damn hormones.
"Baby, you KNOW I don't believe that shit he was spewing. I don't doubt your love for a second. I would walk through fire for you and the kids. You know that, right? You know that you are more important to me than my father, or even my family. Right?" He asked taking her hand.
She smiled and leaned forward to place a tender kiss on his lips. "Of course I know that. You have proved it over and over. Babe, we can't cut your family out of our lives completely. This is about your father, not the rest of them. I would NEVER tell you what to do. I do want you to know that it KILLS me to see how he treats you. How worn you are after one of his verbal assaults. How he hurts you over and over. I don't know what the answer is. I wish I could make this all go away for you and you somehow magically had the family you deserve." She said stroking his cheek.
"I already have the family I want-you, Henry, Mamie, Grace, and our little bun in the oven." He said making her laugh. "I just don't want him to hurt you or the kids. If anything happened to you because of my father, I couldn't handle it." He choked.
"Babe, I know you, and you won’t leave me alone.” She said making him smile. “As long as I have you and the kids everything will be fine. So, this doesn't solve our problem." She said.
"No it doesn't." He agreed making them laugh.
"Okay, let's go to your parents. We will just stay clear of him. I love your family Don, they are my family too. We can't punish them or the kids just because your father is an ass. What do you say?" She asked.
"If you are up to it, fine. I swear the first negative word out of his mouth toward you, then we are gone." Don said.
"Or to you, I am not going to put up with that either." She smiled.
"I love you. No one has ever stood up for me the way you have." He choked.
Meryl brought his lips to hers and kissed him passionately. She leaned her forehead against his when they pulled away. "I will ALWAYS stand up for you and support you. I love you, too." She whispered. "So, when do we need to get going?" She asked.
"Whenever. I will call mom and tell her we are coming. You need to take a nap before we go?" He asked.
"No, I'm fine. You call your mom and I will get the kids together." She said kissing his lips as she got up.
***
They spent a nice afternoon at his mother's and were relieved that his father was at the golf course. They were visiting in the family room with everyone when Don noticed Meryl got quiet and was holding her stomach.
"Babe, are you okay?" He asked concerned.
"Yeah, I am just tired and feel a little nauseous." She admitted.
"Well, let's get the kids and go back to the hotel." He said.
"No, no, the kids are having fun, and they are being entertained." She laughed. "If it's alright, I will just go lay down." She said.
"Meryl, darling. Why don't you go lie down in our room? I think the grandkids have all of the other rooms occupied." She laughed.
"Okay, I will do that. Thank you." She said getting up with Don quickly following.
“I'll come with you." He said when they reached the stairs. “I’m not leaving you alone in their room.
"Babe, I love you are being so protective. I know we are both a little jumpy with this pregnancy because I am high risk due to my age, but I am fine, just normal pregnancy stuff. Stay with your family. I am just going to take a nap. I know if he comes back you will immediately come up to me.” She smiled.
"Are you sure? You will yell if you need anything?" He asked.
"Of course, go have fun." She said kissing his lips.
"I will come check on you in a little bit, okay?" He asked.
"I know you will." She smiled as she turned to walk away
***
Don and his family went outside in the backyard to play in the snow with the kids. He never saw his father pull up or else he would have been inside. No one saw him, he was tired and just wanted to go into his room and shower and relax. James enjoyed most of his family, and actually adored his grandkids, but he and his oldest son just did not mix at all. Don noticed the time and thought it would be time to check on Meryl. So he left the kids with his family and headed inside.
***
Meryl woke up feeling a little better. She still had some twinges of pain but knew that was normal in pregnancy. She was getting up out of her in-laws bed when her father-in-law entered. Both of them were shocked.
"Meryl. " He said curtly.
"James. I was just resting." She said getting up to leave the room.
"You must be happy." He said.
“I’m not going to do this; we are DONE!” Meryl said trying to keep her cool.
"Well, you have turned Don against his whole family. But I guess that doesn't matter to you. You have affairs on set, but then you have my son following you around like some puppy dog. How long are you going to play this game?" He asked.
"You know, I have kept my mouth shut as much as possible for Don's sake, but I can't take it anymore. I told you at our wedding reception that you don't deserve him. You still don't. You practically killed him 10 years ago. You beat him down. You have put him in the hospital more times than I can count. I don't know how you can doubt my love for him or our family after almost 13 years of marriage. I would NEVER do that to Don, or to our family. He and the kids are my life. We adore each other. I don't know why you can't see that after all these years. I don’t know why you can’t leave him, us, the fuck alone!” She said exasperated.
"I am not condemning you, I stray. I just want you to be honest with Don. I knew Don wasn't enough to keep any woman satisfied or happy. I don't know where we went wrong with that boy." James shook his head. "Well, I guess he didn't keep you satisfied did he? Or else you wouldn't be pregnant with another man's child." James scoffed.
Meryl couldn't take it anymore. Not only was he putting her husband down, he was demeaning their marriage, and doubting their love and commitment to each other. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" She screamed and slapped him at the moment Don came in.
"What did you do?" Don yelled as he pulled his father away from her.
"I can't believe she has brainwashed you against your family. You actually BELIEVE she is faithful to you? That this baby is yours? Come on Don, you are 44 years old and she is 41. You think your boys are still swimming that well?" James glared.
Don threw his fist back, and Meryl grabbed it. "Don, don't, it's not worth it." She had no idea what James would do. “Please, baby. I’m fine, really, the baby and I are both fine.”
"You have no CLUE what we have. What we share. You know what, I feel sorry for you. I feel sorry for you that your life is so empty you have to disrupt ours. Meryl and I have a connection that can''t be broken. This baby is MINE. I won't say it again. I won't stand here while you insult my wife and our marriage. Mostly, I am sick that you would deny your own grandchild. Fortunately, I met Meryl and found a kind of love I didn't know existed, and my children won't be raised in the same kind of environment I was. We won't be back to the house this visit; if I EVER let my family back in this hell hole.” He turned to Meryl. "Let's go, Darl.” He said taking her hand and leading her downstairs. The kids were playing downstairs. "Let's go kids. Say good-bye to your cousins." Don said.
"But daddy..."Mamie whined.
"NOW." Don said sternly.
"Don, it's not their fault. Come on babies. Let's go play at the hotel." She said getting down on the floor to help her kids.
"What's going on?" Jane asked.
"I am taking my wife and kids back to the hotel. I'll call you later mom." He said with a kiss to her cheek.
"Don?" She asked.
"Dad's home, ask him what happened. I can't go there right now." He said helping Meryl put the kids coats on them.
"Okay, kids, let's go." He tried to smile.
The kids said good-bye to their cousins and grandma and got in the car. Don was being really quiet so Meryl massaged his neck. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "I love you."
He looked over and mouthed "I love you" to her.
"Mom, I'm hungry." Henry said.
"Well, there's a surprise." Meryl said which made Don laugh.
"It is about dinner time. What do you kids want for dinner?" Don asked.
"McDonalds." Grace said.
"In and Out." Mamie added.
"They don't have In and Out here, baby." Meryl said.
"Steak." Henry chimed in.
"Steak?" Don laughed.
"Well, he is your son." Meryl said.
"Babe?" Don asked her.
"I am not that hungry, actually." She said.
"Babe, you have to eat." He scolded. “Please.”
"I know, wherever you guys want to go is fine, I'll find something." She smiled still rubbing his neck.
"Okay, let's go to Lonestar. The kids can throw the peanut shells on the floor, they'll love that. You can get some protein, Henry can get steak." He laughed. "The girls can get burgers."
"You're a good problem solver, there Gummer." She smiled.
***