A little while later after both Don and Meryl had under gone tests they were back in their hospital room. They immediately wanted the babies back in there with them. Liz and Larry offered to stay in the room with them to help with the babies; but the preliminary tests showed Meryl was okay to walk with them and they kept the bassinet by her side of the bed so she wouldn't even need to get up. They encouraged Larry and Liz to go get something to eat and rest; but Larry and Liz wanted to stay close for the test results. Which gave Don and Meryl time to fuss over their babies; and of course each other.
***
After Meryl nursed and she and Don spent some quality time with their babies; Meryl placed them in the bassinet and then turned back to her husband noticing he was in pain. She kissed his forehead as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Baby, can I go get you food or something to drink or anything? Another blanket or pillow?"
"You can stay right here in this bed with me; that's all that I need." Don said kissing her palm. "Talk to me, baby. I need to make sure you're okay. Can we talk more about what what happened?"
Meryl shook her head as she leaned her forehead against his. "Not right now. I just need to make sure you're okay."
"Baby." Don sighed as she propped his leg up with a pillow. "I'm really okay. We'll find out soon what's up with my leg; and I want to find out what's going on with you and what your tests show."
Meryl tenderly kissed his lips. "Being with you and our sleeping babies is the best medicine in the world for me."
"And for me." Don kissed her lips this time. "You know you can talk to me about absolutely anything; right? If you would rather not talk to me than..."
Meryl immediately cut off what he was saying by pressing her lips to his and then she gave him a small smile when they eventually broke away; she couldn't have him thinking that she didn't feel comfortable talking to him or that she didn't want to talk to him. "Of course I know that, Don Man; and you're the only one I feel comfortable confiding in and talking to. I want to concentrate on us for now. We'll have plenty of time to talk later."
"You'll talk to me before it builds up again?" Don asked in concern as she nodded with smile; and he then rewarded her with his trademark Don Gummer. "Good. I wish they would come in with your test results."
Meryl wiggled her eyebrows at him. "I think we both could use a distraction."
"Baby, as much as I would LOVE that kind of distraction; the babies are in here and neither of us..." Don trailed off.
Meryl threw her head back and laughed. She wanted to make love so much; and wished she could distract the both of them like that but she knew she couldn't. What she wanted even more was to help him get his memories back. "As much as I would love that; I want you healed more. So, how about a story?"
"As long as I get to hold you." Don flirted as she happily snuggled up in his embrace. Not only did he always want to hold her; but he was also reminded from her break down how much she needed his assurance and love just as he need hers. Don smiled as he kissed the top of his wife's head. "Okay my little storyteller; tell away."
***
"What is that?" Meryl asked her husband as she sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen eating the breakfast her husband made for her. Since she had been on bedrest since the week before after her Eclampsia attack in the hospital when Lily was born he wasn't letting her do anything. She smiled as she looked at the box. "Pottery Barn?"
Don smiled as he placed the large box down. "It's my project for today."
"Which is?" Meryl asked laughing. "It's not materials for a new sculpture?"
Don took out his phone and showed her a picture. "It's a ceiling fan for the baby's room."
"Baby, we have one in there." Meryl smiled. "Though I do love the modern look of this one."
Don went to pour himself some juice. "That one is older and noisy; this is a much better one. I was reading up on how important it is to keep the air circulating where the baby sleeps in order to prevent SIDS. Now, we have newer and quieter ones in our room and the den which are other places where the baby will be sleeping. I know it won't be sleeping in the nursery for awhile; but I have time so I might as well do it now." Don stopped when he saw her just staring at him; and not saying too much. "Darl, what is it?" Meryl pulled him closer to her once he came to stand next to her. She pulled his head down to hers and placed a steamy kiss on his lips. "Not that I'm complaining but WHAT was that for?"
"To say I love you." Meryl smiled. "And I love how you think of everything."
Don winked at her. "I love you too. I figured I would do this while you're resting later."
"Sweetheart, we have 24 hour maintenance in the building." Meryl pointed out. "I know that's what they're paid for; but we'll give them a little something extra to do this so you don't have to."
Don shook his head. "Non-sense; it's just a ceiling fan, Darl. It's not like I'm rewiring the apartment. Though, I would like to point I did at the Salisbury house."
"And you did a great job." Meryl winked at him. "There's just no reason for you to worry yourself with it when we pay someone for that; and can certainly give him or her, which ever one it is, a little something extra."
Don picked up his toast he started to eat when the doorbell rang. "And there is no reason to pay someone to do it when I can. You know I like doing this stuff; especially for you and our baby."
"One of the many reasons I love you." Meryl smiled. "Besides, I find it incredibly hot when you install and fix things."
Don gave her his little smirk. "Why do you think I do it?"
****
Don was just about finished with the ceiling fan; happy that it was as easy as he thought it would be. He was finishing screwing in lightbulbs when he felt the ladder gave way underneath him and fell to the hardwood floor in a LOUD crash.
***
Meryl woke up in a start. She had just heard an enormous crash. "Don?" Meryl called out knowing he was in the room next to their bedroom where she had just been napping; but there was no response. "Don Man?" Still no response. She quickly got out of bed and lost her breath once she got into their baby's room and saw her husband out cold on the floor with a shattered light bulb laying around him and a broken wooden ladder beside him. "I told him that fucking ladder wasn't steady." Meryl choked as she ran over and knelt down next to him; lightly tapping his cheek. "Don baby, it's me. Please wake up, sweetheart." Meryl cried as she checked his pulse and was relieved it was strong; but she noticed a large gash on his head. She saw his phone laying beside him and quickly dialed it. "Yes, I need an ambulance...now."
***
Meryl had insisted that she ride to the hospital in the ambulance with her husband. She sat by him, holding his hand, kissing all over his face all the way to the hospital. They immediately took him for tests and she was relieved when they said she could go and seem him in his private room in the Emergency Department. Her heart sunk that he was still asleep; though the nurse assured her he was okay and that the doctor would be in soon to see him. Meryl immediately ran over to him and sat on the bed facing him. She didn't care if she wasn't supposed to sit on his bed; she would like to see someone try and remove her. She tenderly kissed his lips. "Hey, Don Man; do you have any idea how much you've scared me? I know you like to do these things, sweetheart; but it sure as hell isn't worth the risk. It's not like you to get hurt doing these things or to pass out when my blood is taken like the other day. Are you getting enough rest? Are you doing too much. I know neither of use like to spend money just because we can; but if it helps you rest and keeps you safe like not falling off the damn ladder then I will gladly do it. Come on, Don Man; wake up and tell me I'm overreacting for being so worried. Wake up and make a bad joke?"
"How does the fan look?" Don croaked cracking open one eye.
Meryl excitedly kissed all over his face. "I didn't even look."
"After all this?" Don teased as he reached up and wiped away her tears. "You better like it; the things I do to get you to kiss me like you just did."
Meryl shook her head at him as she kissed his lips over and over and over. "You stop pulling stunts like that and I will kiss you constantly."
"I like that idea." Don said coming to more. "The ladder broke. I felt it give way. I'm sorry, Darl. You should be resting and not worrying about me."
Meryl shook her head at him as she ran her fingers through his hair. "You are waiting on me hand and foot. Helping me get urine samples cause I'm so big. You massage my muscles. You go out in the middle of night to get me my latest pregnancy cravings. The least I can do is try to put my husband back together."
Don ran his fingers over her hand. "Hospital?"
"Yeah, when I found you I called an ambulance and they've run tests. Thank God you're awake." Meryl choked. "How are you feeling, baby?"
Don gave her a weak smile. "A headache; but I'm okay." He saw the look on her face and lifted her hand to his lips. "I'm really okay, Darl."
"Don are you sleeping enough?" Meryl asked. "I'm worried you are running yourself ragged."
Don sighed. "Baby, I sleep when you sleep. I'm not any busier than normal. It's not like I made a clumsy mistake; the ladder broke."
"I've been telling you to throw away that rickety thing." Meryl said making him laugh.
Don shrugged. "It's been with me longer than you; I brought it with me from Indianapolis. Though, I'd much rather throw it away than you."
"Good answer, Gummer." Meryl kissed his lips. "I love you; you know that?"
Don gave her his smile she loved so much. "I know that better than anything. I love you so much, baby; I really am sorry."
"It's not your fault." Meryl sighed as there was a knock at the door and she stood up next to Don's head when the door opened. "Oh, Dr. Abbott. How is he?"
Dr. Abbott greeted his favorite patients. "No broken bones. No brain bleeds or swelling. We'll stitch you up and send you home. You do have a concussion so take it easy for a few days."
"She'll make sure of it." Don winked at Meryl as he kissed her hand and then pointed to his bed. "Sit, please."
Meryl rolled her eyes at her husband. "Any special instructions while he's recovering?"
"Just to take it especially easy for the next few days." Dr. Abbott explained. "I'll be back with the suture kit."
Meryl turned to Don when the doctor left the room and she kissed all over his face. "Thank God you're okay; and you ARE going to do what he says. We'll order in. I don't give a damn about the cleaning or laundry; I give a damn about you."
"You and me in bed together for a few days?" Don asked as he pulled her head to his so he could be the one kissing her this time. "I like it."
***
Don wiped the tears away from Meryl's cheeks that appeared when she told him the story. "Baby, why did you tell me that?"
"I'm not sure." Meryl answered honestly. "I just wanted to tell you."
Don gave her a small smile. "I'm so glad you did; and I think I know why you wanted to tell me. I think you sometimes forget I know you better than you know yourself; even with 10 months out of our lives missing from my memory bank."
"I know you do." Meryl finally smiled at him. "So, tell me; why did I feel the need to tell you."
Don laced his fingers through his. "Because I know fully get. For the last 24 hours you've been telling me things I don't remember from the last 10 months; and particularly about the accident. I am now understanding everything you have gone through. I know it's been hell, baby; I do, and you are so damn strong. Not just with making it through this pregnancy; but the way you take care of our family and me. How you have put our babies first while taking care of me for the past several days; and not leaving me side, and I know your heart was breaking just as mine breaks anytime something happens to you."
"I can't let anything else happen to you, Don Man." Meryl choked on her tears. "I just can't."
Don leaned forward and kissed her lips. "I'm not going to let it; and I sure as hell am not going to let anything happen to you or our family. I know it's been terrifying, sweetheart; and I know you have felt alone but you're not. I'm back and we are going to tackle everything together. Yes, I want to get my memories back; but all I truly care about is you and our family. If I have you and our kids then I can handle anything...WE can handle anything."
"Yes we can." Meryl smiled already feeling lighter. "You always know what I need; thank you."
Don was feeling better once he saw her consistent smile. "Just as you know what I need. I am so proud of you, baby. I know it's been hell, but I'm back and I'm not going anywhere. We're in all this together."
"Together." Meryl smiled with a kiss to his lips. "How are you feeling, Don Man?"
Don tucked her hair behind her ear. "I always feel better when I get to tell you how damn much I love you; and how much you and our family mean to me."
"I feel better when I get to tell you that as well." Meryl winked as there was a knock at the door. "Come in."
Dr. Reid walked in. "Well Don, it looks like you need surgery; and you need it NOW."
***