Meryl and Don-Love and Only Love Chapter 35, Part 1
Carl Raymor was sentenced to 30 years in prison as well as a permanent injunction to protect the entire Gummer family. Don and Meryl were continuing to heal from the latest blow; which brought them closer than ever. The next week and a half flew by for the Gummers as they planned their vow renewal and Don healed physically. Because of her brothers and their families they decided to have their renewal on Christmas Eve, and to keep it as small as possible. Neither Meryl nor Don talked to his mother. Whenever she would call the house Don refused to answer and didn’t want Meryl to talk to her either. Luckily, she never seemed to call when the children were home so they didn’t have to explain it to them. Don and Meryl knew that the kids wouldn’t even question why his mother wasn’t there for Christmas, as she never went anywhere without her husband and their grandfather hardly ever came to the house. Don of course invited his brothers but unfortunately with all of their holiday plans they were unable to go out to Connecticut. Don and Meryl of course understood. Don had told them he would have it recorded for them. All that mattered was that their kids would be there and they would recommit themselves to one another- having her father and her brothers and their families there was icing on the cake. They wished Roy and Larry and his family could be there but they understood. They had the rest of their lives to celebrate.
***
Don walked into the family room on Christmas Eve and saw his beautiful wife sitting cross-legged on the sofa staring out to the lake, talking on the phone.
"Daddy remember, Dana and Mary are going to pick you up and bring you over here? No they can't stay, you are going to stay here with us for Christmas. I know, Dad, one of us will take you home. We want you here. No Dad, Don and I are renewing our vows and we want you all here. Remember? Yes, I did tell you that. No don't worry about dressing up, it's fine Dad, all that matters is that you're here. We'll see you later, love you, bye."
Don walked over to her and kissed her cheek. "He doesn't remember the plans?"
"No." She shook her head. "I talked to Auntie earlier and she is worried about him. She will be gone for a few days, so I am going to try to keep him here as long as possible until he absolutely insists on us taking him home. You’re still okay with that?.”
Don nodded as he took her hand in his. “Of course, I am. I think that's a good idea, you know he can stay as long as he and you want. I only want what's best for him."
"I know you do; thank you, sweetheart.” Meryl smiled at her loving husband. "Auntie will be back in a few days, then we go on vacation with the kids, and then he will go to the doctor when we get back, and we can have a plan then."
Don was playing with her wedding rings. "Darl, we don't have to go on vaca-"
"Yes, we do." Meryl said cutting him off. "You, me, and the kids need this vacation desperately. We haven't all had a chance to be together after everything, we need to heal. My dad is incredibly important to me, but my brothers will be around. We really need this as a family. No more Kevin Mann. No more Carl Raymore. You have finally been released even though you still need to be careful. We're ignoring your father, and mother for the time being. We are closer and more in love than ever. Life is getting back to how it should be, and I am just so incredibly grateful. Besides, I think Grace and Louisa need some normalcy. So no, we are NOT canceling."
Don couldn't help but laugh and smile at her words. "Okay, but however we need to take care of your dad we will. He's not going to the doctor until after we get back?"
"No, it was impossible to get him into the doctor before the new year. Auntie and the boys are going to take care of him while we're gone, but I will take over when we get back. That means I might be kind of busy, and will need some help." Meryl pointed out.
Don smiled and shook his head. "Like I said, whatever we need to do."
"Thank you, babe." She said with a tender kiss to his lips. “We’re still not talking to your mom?”
Meryl's heart broke when he shook his head. “No...not after how she has been treating and talking to you.”
"I'm sorry baby, I really am, I probably shouldn’t have gone off on her like I did but I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t take how they both treat you.” Meryl sighed.
Don shook his head. “I can’t take how they treat you. We needed a little break from her. I’m still upset at how she hasn’t thanked you for saving me, for barely checking up on you when you were shot and how she spoke to you. We’ve had to fight too many battles lately, we don’t need to fight her. We don’t need her venom on top of everything else. I love my mom, I always will, I’m just really pissed at her right now; but she is my mother. But over the last 23 years I have learned who I can count on when I need them and that's our family- you, the kids, your parents, your brothers and their families. I will take what I can get from my side, but I'm not going to waste any more time thinking about them and agonizing over it."
"I love you." She whispered as she gave him a long kiss. “So much.”
Don deepened the kiss enjoying every minute. "I love you too, baby. So what do you say we take this upstairs?"
"You're too predictable." Meryl laughed at her husband. He had only been released to have sex for the last few days, and he was making the most of those opportunities. Meryl was extremely careful with him, afraid that he would hurt himself. "Tonight, I promise. We just had sex a few hours ago."
Don shrugged his shoulders. "I have a sexy wife...shoot me."
"I like it." She whispered as she kissed his cheek. "The kids will be down any minute and we have so much to do...but tonight..."
Don couldn't help but laugh. "With our kids and your dad in the house?"
"I have special plans for you big boy, don't worry about the people in the house...I have a plan." Meryl winked at her husband.
Don got a big goofy grin on his face. "I do love your plans."
***
The day was actually pretty relaxing. Meryl spent the day with the girls cooking and preparing for the family, while Don and Henry set up heaters out on the dock where Don and Meryl were to renew their vows. They decided not to have a minister, they didn't need one, this was all about them and their commitment, and their marriage was already legal. Meryl and the girls were busy making their traditional Christmas Eve meal to eat after the vow renewal. She finally sent the kids upstairs to clean up, and it was just Meryl and Don. Meryl didn't say anything, she just walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. She just needed to be close to him.
"What's this about?" Don asked with a kiss to her head.
Meryl pulled away slightly and gazed in his gorgeous blue eyes. "I can always leave."
"Don't you dare." He whispered as he slowly kissed her lips, while he gazed into her eyes. He couldn't stop the tears that welled up in them.
Meryl saw the tears in his eyes. "Hey, what's going on?"
"I just..." Don shook his head. "I'm sorry."
Meryl grabbed his arm as he began to walk away. "What?"
"I was just thinking about how I almost lost you when that fucker shot you. I felt so helpless, so impotent, as your body went limp in my arms. I was so afraid as I did CPR that I was going to lose you forever." Don felt sick just thinking about it.
Meryl cupped his face in her hands. "You didn't baby, you've made sure of that over and over. I'm here because of you."
"I can't believe you're going to marry me again." Don said in awe as he stroked her cheek.
Meryl leaned forward and claimed his lips in hers. "Believe it, baby."
The pull between them was incredibly strong and Meryl found herself devouring his face as she wrapped her legs around him and Don pulled her up on his hip. He quickly carried her to the counter and sat her down, all the while not breaking contact with her lips and tongue. They wanted each other, they wanted each other badly until they heard a voice yelling from upstairs.
"MOM! I can't find my favorite pair of jeans." They heard Grace yell.
Don moaned as he pulled back and gave her one last kiss. "How quickly we forget about the heathens."
"Tonight you're all mine." Meryl whispered as her lips found their way back to his.
Don sighed as they heard another voice yell, this time from their son. "MOM! I thought you washed my green sweater!"
"Dear Lord, when are these kids going to be self-sufficient?" Don sighed as he helped her down off the counter and they straightened their clothing.
Meryl laughed at her husband. "I ask myself that everyday."
"MOM! Come fix my hair!" Louisa yelled.
Their last child finally joined in. "MOM! Can I wear your silver hoops?"
"Well, our alone time was nice while it lasted." Don shook his head.
Meryl leaned forward and kissed him again, she just couldn't resist his lips. "Go shower while I take care of them, then I'll jump in."
"You know, we can always shower together." Don said holding her close.
Just as Meryl was about to lean forward towards his lips she heard 4 voices. "MOM!"
"That's it...I'm having a talk with them. You're not their maid." Don was exasperated. Not only because he couldn't get time alone with her, but because he was frustrated with how they were talking to her. "Two of them are adults."
Meryl shook her head. "I'll take care of it-just make yourself handsome."
***
While Don showered Meryl got the kids what they needed, and while Meryl showered Don welcomed her family. They had both decided to talk to the kids later about their behavior. Don went to get Meryl as he knew she wanted a family meeting with her brothers, their wives, and him concerning their father. Don walked in and stopped when he saw his beautiful wife standing in front of the mirror. She was wearing black boots, jeans, a white blouse with a blue cardigan, her hair hung in loose curls, and she was wearing her blue glasses. God, he loved her. She was wearing blue just like on their wedding day.
"You just going to stare?" Meryl flirted.
Don wrapped his arms around her waist. "You are even more beautiful than on our wedding day, if that's even possible."
"I'm wearing jeans and a sweater." She laughed.
Don shook his head. "You're beautiful."
"You look amazingly handsome yourself. I'm glad you're wearing my favorite pair of jeans." Meryl said as she cupped his ass. He was looking especially handsome in his jeans, black loafers, gray t-shirt, and a blue sweater. "Maybe we can just forget about the renewal and lock ourselves away up here."
Don laughed as he held her close. "Don't tempt me...besides I want to make an honest woman out of you."
"I'll show you how honest I can be." She whispered in his ear. "Remember, I promised you alone time."
Don laughed at the fact she wanted to be alone with him just as much as he wanted to be alone with her. "And I am definitely planning on cashing in. The family is here, we need to go have that meeting."
"Dad?" Meryl asked.
Don walked over and grabbed her shawl he knew she was planning on wearing and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Henry took him out to the barn to play his music for him...the girls went too."
"I guess we better do this." Meryl said taking a deep breath.
Don gave her a reassuring smile. "Whatever happens...we're in this together."
"Thank you, let's-" Meryl was cut off by the ringing of the phone. Meryl rolled her eyes as Don looked at the caller ID.
Don shook his head. “No, don’t, it’s my mom.”
“Sweetheart, we have to talk to her sooner or later and it’s Christmas.” Meryl pointed out. “Besides, the kids could answer.”
Don nodded. “Should I answer or you?”
“Might be better if I did.” Meryl said as she answered. “Hello?”
"Hi, Meryl." Jane felt a little weird but tried not to. "How are you?"
Meryl looked at Don as he came over and wrapped his arm tightly around her. "Hi, Jane.” Meryl saw the worried look on her husband's face and gave him a smile to show him everything was okay. "We're good...how are you doing? Ready for Christmas?"
"Yes, we are. It is pretty quiet around here, will probably just be us." Jane said.
Meryl had to bite her tongue. Things could be so different, but that was the choice Jane had made. If she would only stand up for Don, just once, things could be so different but she didn’t. Meryl knew they had to move forward, she and Don were moving forward, so she needed to with Jane. "Thank you for all the presents, you really shouldn't have done that. We told the kids they can't open them until tomorrow."
"You are more than welcome. Where are they? I would love to speak to them." Jane said.
Meryl reached out and squeezed Don's hand and asked if he wanted to talk to his mother, nonverbally-after being married for 23 years they had the nonverbal clues down. "They are actually out in the barn with my dad. Don is standing right here. Would you like to speak to him?"
"Yes, please. Congratulations Meryl, I am so happy you are a part of my son's life and the mother of my grandchildren, I really am. Merry Christmas." Jane was really trying.
Meryl smiled at her mother-in-law's words and stared at Don. "I'm pretty happy he's a part of my life, too. Merry Christmas."
"Hi, Mom." Don sighed as his wife gave him the phone. "Merry Christmas."
Jane couldn't help but smile when she heard her oldest son's voice. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Are you getting ready for the vow renewal?"
"We're ready. We just need to talk to the family first. Then we're going to have a wonderful dinner Meryl and the girls have worked so hard on." Don told his mother. He was still incredibly upset over the things she said to and about his wife, but he was trying, it was Christmas after all.
Jane's heart hurt. "I really wish we could have been there."
"You could have, Mom." Don said and Meryl heard the hurt in his voice. He was trying not to get mad, but she knew what buttons to push. "You are welcome here anytime."
Jane started to become aware of her son's pain. "Thank you, sweetheart. I am so incredibly proud of you. I am proud of the man you have become, what a wonderful husband and father you are, and what a wonderful son you are. I want you to know that."
"Thanks, Mom, that means alot." Don choked. He really did appreciate her words. “Mom, we need to go get the show on the road before dark. Call tomorrow morning and you can talk to the kids, I know how much they would like to talk to you."
Jane got a big smile on her face. "I will do that. Have a wonderful night, sweetheart, love you."
"Love you too, bye." Don said as he pushed the end button on the cordless and placed it on the base by their bed.
Meryl walked over to him, gently brushed her lips against his, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so proud of you Donald Gummer. You okay?"
"Yeah babe, I'm fine. I’m pretty proud of you as well. Was she okay to you?" Don asked seriously.
Meryl just shook her head. "Sweetheart, she was fine. What happened last week was a long time coming. Maybe it was a good thing it happened. Was it okay for you?” Meryl was relieved when Don smiled. She desperately wanted him to feel loved and accepted by his family-something he didn't feel too often, if at all.
"Yeah, it was. It's just going to be weird as we find a balance." Don smiled as he gave her a kiss. "Enough about all of that. Today is about us and our family. Later we'll talk to the kids about Dad, and set some ground rules, but none of that right now. What do you say we have the family meeting and get this show on the road? Want to take that plunge again?"
Meryl smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Over and over.”
***