The next couple of weeks were busy, but quiet for the Gummers. Meryl wrapped up shooting Hope Springs; while Don was busy in his studio in Connecticut. Luckily, things had been quiet regarding the mysterious person who was asking around about them; and who had made them so jumpy. Don told Meryl that he wasn't going to let his guard down; he still wanted them to be on the lookout. Meryl knew why he said that; he felt that Mann took her and Henry over 30 years ago when they let down his guard. He was always checking on her to make sure she was safe, while she did the same with him as she was convinced he was the focus of this person's questioning and phone calls. While they were becoming more relaxed as time went on; they were still on guard. Meryl and Don went back to New York City as soon as she wrapped the film on the 29th. With some help from their girls, Don was able to coordinate her surprise for their 33rd wedding anniversary the next day.
***
"There you are." Meryl said walking into the kitchen and wrapping her arms around him from behind. "I was disappointed to wake up alone on our anniversary."
Don smiled as he turned around in her arms and gave her a long, lingering, kiss. "I promise I will make it up to you tonight."
"You're very overdressed." Meryl said as her hands went to the buttons on his shirt. "I can take care of that."
Don laughed as he moved her hands away. "I have a busy day ahead; and so do you."
"Let him go." Mamie teased walking into the kitchen.
Grace trailed in behind her sister. "Yeah, yeah; enough is enough. We don't want a surprise baby brother or sister."
"Not funny." Don said with a panicked look on his face.
Meryl couldn't help but laugh at the look on her husband's face. They were greatly enjoying their empty nest. "That ship has well and truly sailed."
"But the other ship that leads to those surprises hasn't sailed." Don said wiggling his eyes at her and pulling her close, kissing her.
Mamie pulled a face. "EW."
"You're just as bad as her, Dad." Grace teased.
Don dipped Meryl back to place another kiss, a noisy kiss for their girls' benefit, on her lips. "Hey, if we weren't gross then you two, and your brother and sister, wouldn't even be here."
"Oh GOD!" Grace said covering her ears as she pretended to be grossed out, though she and her siblings loved how in love their parents were after all these years. "Let's go get ready, Mai."
Meryl laughed as she watched two of their girls walk off. "What are they doing here? You know how I love it when ANY of them are home. Shouldn't our anniversary be just us?"
"Oh, it will be." Don winked as he poured her some coffee and handed it to her. "Tonight."
Meryl shook her head not following. "I won't see you all day?"
"You will be too busy being pampered to miss me." Don said eating his toast and decided to answer questioning look. "A day at the spa and lunch with Mai and Gracie. Then when you get home there will be instructions. YOU aren't paying for anything. It's all taken care of."
Meryl placed a long kiss on his lips. "Happy Anniversary, my Don Man. Boy, do I love you."
"I love you so much, Mrs. Gummer." Don said kissing her forehead as a sign of his love and protection. "Happy 33."
Meryl smiled at him. "We can still talk, right? This isn't like us not being able to see each other or talk before our weddings."
"No, baby." Don laughed. "It's not. I want you and the girls to be safe. I got you a car and driver so you don't need to take cabs or the subway or anything or worry about parking the car and walking."
Meryl smiled softly at him. "Things have been quiet lately."
"I know, but I want to make sure you ALL are safe." Don said tucking her hair behind her ear.
Meryl stroked his cheek. "I want you to be safe as well."
"I'm always safe." He winked which made her laugh at how accident prone he was. "I better get going. I hope you have a WONDERFUL day. I'll see you tonight. Love you, Darl."
Meryl walked him to the door and placed a long kiss to his lips. "I love you, too. See you tonight. Where are we going?"
"All will be revealed." He laughed as she watched him get int heir private elevator. "Bye."
Meryl shook her head as the elevator doors closed. "Donald Gummer, just WHAT are you up to?"
***
Meryl came home around 6pm extremely relaxed. She had a wonderful day with the girls; but couldn't wait to spend the evening with her husband celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary. Yeah, they texted a few times throughout the day but it didn't make up for him not being with her and the girls. She loved spending time with their girls; but she just missed being with him. "Don? Sweetheart?" Meryl called out when she entered their penthouse apartment. She looked down at the table on the entry way to lay her keys down and smiled when she saw an envelope with his writing on it. Her heart beat faster in excitement as she tore it open. It amazed her that after 33 years together he could still affect her in this way. Her face already hurt from smiling.
My beautiful and darling wife,
I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing day with the girls. You sure deserve it after all you do for ALL of us; but especially after this last year. I think this might have been one of our hardest years after 1981; but we did what we do best. We faced every trial, every struggle and every hurdle together. We came out on the other side more in love and committed to each other than ever; just when I don't think we can love each other more or be more committed to each other. Tonight, we are celebrating our amazing marriage and partnership; a partnership, a love, I would be dead without. Now, I'm sure you are crying by now and I don't want to ruin your makeup.
Meryl laughed as she wiped her tears.
Now, go on upstairs. Everything I want you to wear is laid out on the bed. Then come meet me up on our rooftop as we take a stroll down memory lane.
I love you,
Your Don Man
Meryl quickly went up the stairs and smiled at the sexy lingerie he laid out for her to wear. She knew what he had on his mind and that he was definitely going to make not waking up in bed together that morning up to her. She smiled that he had laid out the cream color dress she wore to the Mamma Mia premiere for her. Her mind then wandered to how he couldn't keep his hands off her all night and couldn't wait to get her home in the privacy of their locked bedroom. A chill was sent up her spine when she thought about how they would be reliving that passion all over again.
***
Don looked all around extremely happy with himself. He had worked hard all day but it would be worth it when he saw the smile on her face. It was only the end of September but he was afraid she would get cold in what he wanted her to wear so he turned on their outdoor space heaters they kept up there. He often worked up here so they kept the heaters out, covering them during inclement weather. He looked down and was happy with the blue dress shirt with the top buttons undone, just like he knew drove his wife wild, and the gray dress slacks he chose for the evening. Knowing how much she loved that color combination on him. He went and lit the candles on the table and poured champagne in the 2 flutes that were sitting on the table. He looked up when he heard the door open. His breath left him momentarily when he saw his gorgeous wife standing there. How he was glad she didn't get rid of dresses she had already worn. She looked absolutely gorgeous in the dress that always drive him wild: her amazing breasts were barely contained by the dress and nude bra he sat out for her, then her amazing figure and the heels that made her perfectly toned legs look a mile long. She was wearing her hair a little shorter than normal and it hung in loose waves. Her make up was fantastic. But most importantly, the woman who had held his heart for the last 33 years, and always will, stood there looking all around. He could tell she was in awe. "There's my girl."
"Don!" Meryl gasped as he hand went to her heart and she looked all around. This was just like the first Valentine's Day they spent together though they now owned the rooftop and it was much bigger. He had hung lights all around. She didn't know how many candles he had lit around the roof top or how many bouquets of flowers he bought-he must have bought out the florist! She smiled that he had the heaters out, being concerned about her comfort in the summer dress he wanted her to wear. There was a table set for two complete with covered plates, champagne and it looked like a replica of their wedding cake. Soft music was playing. She couldn't help but eye the tent he had set up, a bigger one than they had 32 years ago. Most importantly the man she loved so totally and completely was standing there waiting for her. She couldn't help but think how sexy he was as he stood their in her favorite outfit of his-a blue dress shirt with the top buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his forearms showing her the arms and loved so much, and the gray slacks that made his ass look even more amazing than it was. That was just the outside. She knew within him held the heart she was crazy in love with. The soul that connected with hers so deeply. An existence that was wrapped up with her existence. "I...I..."
Don held out his arms. "Get over here, Mrs. Gummer!"
"You are something else, Mr. Gummer." Meryl choked as she crushed her lips to his after running into his arms.
Don lifted her up momentarily as he kissed her long and deep. "I just wanted the best for my girl on our anniversary."
"I've had the best for the past 33 years." Meryl said pressing her forehead against his as she gazed deeply into his eyes. "You."
***
"You are something else, Donald Gummer." Meryl said reaching over and grabbing his hand, then kissing it, as they were finishing up their dinner. "You have gone all out. I mean you SPOILED me and the girls today. Then all this. I mean not just ALL the flowers and lights and candles. But a small replica of our wedding cake. A lobster dinner catered in. My favorite champagne. Recreating our first Valentine's Day together.
Don winked at her as he took a drink of the champagne. "You do remember."
"Of course I remember." Meryl beamed. "It was such an amazing night that gave us our first baby. You did TOO much, tonight, sweetheart."
Don shook his head as he went over and knelt in front of her. "It is NEVER too much when it comes to you. Meryl, my love, I know this year has been hell. You stood by me and fought for me, for us, for our family during my health struggles. YOU are why I'm alive."
"Don." Meryl choked thinking back to that awful time.
Don wiped her tears as he tenderly kissed her lips. "You are. Then my mother was a complete bitch to you and you did something that had to be so incredibly hard, you told me the truth about James. I can always count on you. When I haven't been able to count on anyone else in my life; I could always count on you, the Browns and your family."
"OUR family." Meryl said running her hands through his hair.
Don nodded. "Our family. You have reminded me who I am. You have supported and loved me as I tried to figure out who I was. It doesn't matter what my blood line is. All that truly matters is you, our children, this amazing life we have made. I know I've had my moments; but you've loved me through them. All I truly care about is you and our babies; they will ALWAYS be our babies. Your love has saved me for 33 years and has continued to do so. Your love helps me understand this world. Your love is my lift raft, my lighthouse."
"Your love, our marriage, our partnership and OUR family." Meryl choked. "Means everything to me. I know life isn't always easy. I know our marriage isn't perfect; but it's the best god damn thing that has ever happened to me. You are the best god damn thing to ever have happened to me. Your love is the light that shines in the dark areas of my life, our life. Even when everything around us is falling apart I just have to look into your blue eyes and grab your hand to know we are going to be okay. You, Donald Gummer, are EVERYTHING to me. I am so incredibly lucky to have you as my husband. You make me so incredibly happy. Thank you for all these amazing gifts. You truly are the best, baby."
Don wiped her tears away then pointed to his jacket she was wearing since the sun went down and it had gotten chilly. "Look in the left pocket."
"Don!" Meryl gasped when she pulled out a Tiffany's box. "What did you do?"
Don took the box from her and opened it. "The modern gift for 33 years is amethyst."
"Sweetheart, it is breathtaking." Meryl said in awe as she looked at the two tiered necklace. On the top tier was a circular diamond. On the bottom tier was oval shaped amethyst. "This must have cost a fortune."
"You're worth it." Don said opening up the oval amethyst. "It's a locket."
Tears streamed down Meryl's face as she looked at the pictures. He had somehow merged the ultrasound photos of William and Donald Jr., who they had lost through stillbirth and miscarriage, with a picture of their other four children. "Oh, Don."
"They are ALL a part of us. A part of our love. A part of our story. They are a part of us; just like you are a part of me." Don said kissing her tears away.
The tears kept coming as he put the necklace on. "And you are a part of me-always."
"It's even more beautiful on you." Don smiled as he continued to kneel down in front of her.
Meryl cupped his handsome face and placed a kiss of promise of things to come on his amazing lips. "Thank you, Don Man, for everything. Really, thank you for asking me marry you and this AMAZING life we share. Thank you for giving me breath."
"Thank you for giving me life." He whispered as he pressed his forehead against his. He wanted to hold her close and just feel them. "Will you dance with me?"
Meryl smiled as she took the hand he extended once he stood up. "You never have to ask."
"This is what I've been wanting all day." Don said holding her by her waist as they swayed to the music.
Meryl pressed her forehead to his so the only thing she could see was her handsome husband as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you for the perfect anniversary. It would have been perfect if we were in some studio apartment in the Bronx eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. As long as I'm with you."
"Now you tell me." Don winked with a kiss to her lips as she giggled.
When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeksAnd darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Oh me I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am
So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are
When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way, mm
I know you will still love me the same'Cause honey your soul can never grow old, it's evergreen
Baby your smile's forever in my mind and memory
I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand
But baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are, oh
So baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we areOh maybe we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are
"One more." Meryl whispered into his mouth as they continued their sensuous liplock that had been going on all during Ed Sheeran's song.
Don pulled her closer and heard the moan at the back of her throat as his mouth continued to make love to hers and he knew she could feel his erection pressed up against her; which was evidence of what their kissing and dancing session did to him. He trailed his hands down to her ass and pulled her even tighter against him. He then trailed his lips down her neck to the slope of her magnificent breasts. "Whatever my baby wants."
Heart beats fast
Colours and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid.
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid.
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid.
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Hands had been roaming, as well as mouths, all during the last song. Don hand pulled down her bra and dress just enough to attach is mouth to her nipples. While her hand had unzipped his trousers and had slipped in the slit of his boxers, stroking him just like he liked. He regretfully pulled away and covered her back up then zipped himself back up as he then scooped her in his arms. "I will love you forever."
"It's always been you, Don." Meryl choked as she gazed in his eyes. "Only you."
Don placed a hard kiss on her lips. "Let's go inside."
"The tent." Meryl said as she turned in his arms so her legs were wrapped around his waist and his face was buried in her breasts. "NOW."
***
It didn't take Don and Meryl long to get rid of the other's clothes. They were kneeling up on the air mattress he had put in there. Don's mouth was running wild over her chest then up her neck and he took her earlobe in his mouth while his hand was stroking the place that always got her going. He knew she was close but was trying to hold off when she squeezed harder on his hard, throbbing penis. "Don, I need to take you in me."
"You will, baby." Don whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers and locked his blue eyes with her green ones. "You're so wet. You're vibrating, baby. Come for me, come hard."
Meryl didn't need to hear anymore. She bore down hard on his hand as she crushed her mouth to his. When the need for air was too great she threw her head back as she held his to her bare chest. "DOOOOONNNNNN!"
"That's it, Darl." Don whispered in her ear.
Meryl leaned her forehead against his once she gave him her all. "I'm ready for us. I need you, Don."
"I need you, too." Don whispered kissing all over her face. "Can I take you from behind, tonight?"
Meryl loved when he did that. It took a long time after her rape for them to make love in that position again. Every time he would always ask her if it was okay. She loved when they made love in that position because she felt that could feel him all over her entire body. "Of course."
"It will be fantastic." He promised with a kiss to her lips as he knelt behind her and entered her.
Meryl moaned as she leaned her head back on his shoulder and grabbed his ass with one hand and grabbed onto his hair with the other. "It...always...is."
"God, you feel so fucking good." Don moaned as he clamped his mouth to her neck, one hand was playing with her nipples and the other was strumming the bundle of her nerves between her legs. "How does it feel?"
Meryl was already coming undone as he thrust into her over and over. "So fucking good. Like...you're loving...every part of....ME!"
"I do." Don said into her mouth.
Meryl turned her head so she attached her mouth to his. "I love you."
"I love you." And with that they both exploded with the love they had shared over 33 years; the love that they knew they couldn't live without.
***
Later Don and Meryl were feeding each other cake as they sat facing each other on the air mattress in the tent. Meryl was wearing his shirt with only a few buttons done up and her silky lacy panties while Don was only wearing his boxers. "You look better in my clothes than I do."
"I know you think so." Meryl winked as she fed him some cake.
Don grinned at how she left the top half of his shirt unbuttoned. "You make that necklace look even more beautiful. It was made for your perfect and delectable neck." He whispered as he kissed the neck he loved to kiss so much.
"Thank you so much, baby." Meryl moaned as she she tilted her head to give him better access. She then pulled his head back so she could look at him. "I don't want you to think I've forgotten about your gift. You will receive it when least expected; but soon, I promise. Delivery just didn't make it in time."
Don shook his head. "I'm not worried. I don't need anything or want for anything, sweetheart."
"Neither do I; but look at all this. All you've given me." Meryl said stroking his face. "Not to mention the last 33 years."
"You have given me more than I could EVER tell you, Darl." Don smiled as he fed her some cake. "It's been an amazing night."
"It has been a perfect night." Meryl smiled as they laid back down on the air mattress under the blankets he had brought out for them. "Thank you so much, sweetheart."
Don turned them so they were facing each other and their legs were intertwined and he stroked her hair like she liked. "I love you so much; thank you for marrying me."
"Thank you for asking me." Meryl whispered as she placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you more than anything."
Don smiled at how sleepy she looked. "I can carry you inside."
"No." Meryl giggled as she snuggled in closer to him. "Let's sleep out here."
Don held her tight. "Sounds perfect; but let me know if you get cold."
"I will." Meryl said feeling contented and completely at peace. "Happy Anniversary, Mr. Gummer."
Don's eyes started closing as he felt her relax in his his arms. "Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Gummer."
***