As soon as Don got Meryl settled into the passenger's side of their rental car he ran to the driver's side and sped out of the driveway. "Baby, I'm going to get you to the nearest hospital. Just hang on, sweetheart; I am right here with you."
"I'm so sorry, Don Man." Meryl cried.
Don grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You have no reason to apologize, my love. Hang on to my leg. I'm going to make a call."
"Okay." Meryl tried to breathe.
Don tried to smile at her. "That's my girl." He then dialed a number by memory. "Papa Mike?"
"Don?" Mike was surprised to hear his chosen son's voice. "Aren't you supposed to be in the air?"
Don shook his head. "James fucking Gummer happened and Meryl is in labor. I don't know what the fuck happened but I'm positive he traumatized my wife and did this."
"What hospital are you headed to?" Mike asked.
Don was thinking of the nearest hospital. "St. Vincent's."
"We'll meet you there." Mike said. "We love you both."
Don was trying not to cry. "Thank you so much; and we love you too, bye."
"They coming?" Meryl tried to breathe as she grabbed his hand now that it was free.
Don nodded as he pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "Yeah; we'll be there soon, love; and we can meet our baby."
***
Don rushed Meryl to St. Vincent's hospital and ran to her as soon as he changed into scrubs and they got her settled. He immediately ran over and kissed all over her face as she cried. "You came back."
"Of course I came back, baby." Don's heart was literally breaking at what his father had obviously done to his wife. "You're stuck with me for all of eternity."
Meryl tried to smile through the pain. "Thank God. I was afraid you would blame yourself for what happened; which wasn't your fault. But that you would think I would be better off and you would leave me like you have thought in the past because of James. I'm not, Don. I can't be without you. I need you so much."
"I'm a selfish bastard and need you more than anything." Don said grabbing her head in his hands and pressing his forehead against hers. "I love you so much, baby. God, I love you; and I am so so so unbelievably sorry."
Meryl put her hands on his head and kissed him over and over. "It is NOT your fault. Please don't blame yourself. Please, Don."
"How's my girl and our baby?" Don asked as he kissed all over her face. "I hated that they made me leave you to get ready."
Meryl wiped away his tears. "You're here now and that's all I care about."
"Baby?" Don said as he looked at the monitors. "The last thing I want to do it upset you; but can you please tell me what the hell that fucker did to you?"
Meryl took a deep breath. "Baby, you are going to be livid."
"Then I need to know." Don said strongly. "Sweetheart, what did that fucker do to you?"
Meryl tried to do her breathing. "I woke up to him kicking my back and I immediately felt a contraction. I fell to the floor in pain; and then my water broke. I kept screaming for him to get you; and he kept saying how you came to your senses and left me. I knew you wouldn't, baby; I was just afraid you thought you would need to leave to protect me."
"I'm too selfish; I need you too damn much." Don choked as he kissed her lips over and over. "What then, Darl?"
Meryl tried to keep it together. "He told me to clean up my mess; but I was in too much pain. I tried, but it hurt so much. He kept kicking me and pushing me down. You came in about half an hour later."
"I am so unbelievably sorry, my love." Don choked. "I knew I should have fucking killed him. I don't know what else to say. My God, he's fucking sick. I'm so sorry."
Meryl gripped his hand as another contraction took over. "You're taking care of me just like always. Please promise me you won't let him come between us."
"Never." Don choked as he crushed his lips to hers. "He's NEVER coming near you again; and neither is my fucking mother."
Meryl took a deep breath as she rubbed her belly. "She didn't cause this."
"Maybe not this; but she was a bitch to you when you were just trying to give her what she wanted." Don pressed his forehead to hers. "I'm so fucking done with them."
***
Don had his forehead pressed against Meryl's as he watched the monitor. "That's it, baby; you are almost through this contraction. You're doing so damn good."
"It hurts, Don." Meryl cried. "Fuck, this hurts."
Don smoothed back her damp hair. "I can't imagine; but you are handling it like the strongest woman in the world you are."
"Thank you for being with me." Meryl choked.
Don's heart hurt that she kept saying that. "You think I would miss pain causing my wife to hurl all kinds of curse words at me?"
"I wouldn't do that." Meryl tried to finally smile.
Don winked at her as he kissed her lips. "I'll remind you of that later."
"Meryl?" Jane bursting into the room.
Don immediately jumped up off his wife's bed. "Hell no! Get the fuck out!"
"Baby." Meryl choked.
Don shook his head as he turned to her and kissed her lips. "I'm taking care of it, love."
"Meryl, are you and the baby..." Jane tried to get closer to her daughter-in-law but Don wouldn't allow it.
Don stood between his wife and mother as he continued to hold his wife's hand. "Don't act like you care. You are why she's fucking here giving birth with a doctor she doesn't even know."
"Don, I didn't..." Jane began to say.
Don shook his head as he went over to his wife. "You pressured and manipulated her into having lunch at your house today. You were a bitch to her all through lunch. Then your husband who you continually stand by no matter what the fuck he's done to my family fucking kicks my pregnant wife who was SLEEPING in the back and pushes her to labor. THEN he wouldn't come and get me; and tried to make her clean up the puddle on the floor when she is in FUCKING labor. I wasn't there like I should have been because you wouldn't let me have someone else fix your god damn sculpture. When my wife needed me I wasn't there. So, how is this not your fault?"
"Baby." Meryl pulled on his hand until he was sitting next to her on the bed. "It is not your fault."
Jane tried to get close again. "I was just worried..."
"Get out." Don said now calmed down. "My wife is trying to bring our child, YOUR grandchild into the world, and she doesn't need this stress. Please, get out."
Jane didn't say anything as she rushed out of the room bumping into Maggie. "Jane?"
"Of course you two would be here." Jane ran past them.
Mike looked at Maggie. "This isn't good."
"Don!" Maggie ran in and hugged her chosen son and whispered in his ear. "You doing okay, honey?"
Don tried to smile as he whispered back into her ear. "Just keep my parents away from my wife."
"You are as beautiful as ever, Meryl." Mike said hugging Meryl.
Meryl tried to smile. "You sure are a lawyer, Papa Mike."
"What can we get you two?" Maggie asked the couple.
Meryl wanted to reassure Don as much as possible. "I have everything I need thanks to this guy."
"I think we're good." Don was trying to breathe after the run in with his mom. "Thank you both for being here; I just didn't know who to call."
Mike patted Don on the back. "We are exactly who you should call."
"We're so glad you're here." Meryl choked. "With both my parents gone. I'm glad someone is here for Don if I have to go into surgery or..."
Don bent over and kissed her lips. "Hey now, we're not thinking like that."
"How are things?" Maggie asked.
Don smiled in relief. "Both she and the baby are doing well."
"We are going to let you two do what needs to be done." Mike said making everybody laugh.
Once Don and Meryl said goodbye to his chosen parents she pulled him to her. "I love you so damn much, Donald Gummer; you are the best fucking thing to EVER happen to me."
"I love you so much, my girl." Don choked as he rubbed her belly and kissed her lips. "I am so unbelievably sorry..."
Meryl shook her head. "NOT YOUR FAULT. Let's just concentrate on evicting your baby from my body."
"That's a good plan, Darl." Don winked as he looked at the monitor and saw another contraction was coming. "Here we go..."
***
"I can't do this, Don." Meryl cried as it came time to push. "I want someone else to do this. I'm too old. Please, make someone else do this."
Don tried not to smile at the fact she always said that. "You are the only one that can bring our baby into this world, Mary Louise Gummer. There is no one else on earth I would trust to do this but you. You've got this baby; you're so damn close."
"Don?" Meryl asked as she collapsed back on the bed. "Can I ask you for a favor?"
Don couldn't help but laugh at the question. "First of all, you never need to ask. Second of all, you are bringing our baby into this world. Whatever you want you get."
"Can you get Maggie?" Meryl choked. "Since my mom can't be here, I want Maggie."
Don's heart sunk. She didn't want him in there anymore. He couldn't blame her after the hell his family had not only put her through in the last 25 years; but that day especially. "Yeah, Darl, sure."
"Thanks." Meryl breathed as she collapsed back on the bed. Counting down the moments until her favorite partner and husband came back with his chosen mother.
***
"Here she is, Darl." Don said leading Maggie into his wife's hospital room.
Meryl reached out for Maggie's hand. "Thank you for being here. It's just with my mom..."
"I'm honored to stand in for Mary." Maggie told Meryl. "Anytime and anywhere. Some big shoes to fill."
Meryl laughed with tears in her eyes. "They are."
"Okay, Darl, I'll leave since you wanted Maggie." Don tried not to get upset; but he was. "Mags, I'll be in the waiting room if she wants or needs me."
Meryl's heart sunk. There was no way she could do this without Don. "Wait!" She reached out for his hand. "You're leaving me? What? Why?"
"Baby, I thought that's why you wanted Maggie." Don said confused. "I thought you wanted her back here instead of me. With my parents and..."
Meryl's heart hurt. She HATED what his parents did to him. Meryl pulled him to her. "Donald Gummer, of course I want you back here with me. There is no way in hell I can do this without you; I don't want to do this without you. I wanted Maggie in addition with you. If I don't have you then I don't have life. Then I can't do this."
"I'm sorry." Don sighed as he tenderly kissed her lips. "I do know that; I'm sorry, I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. I feel like my emotions are everywhere."
Maggie spoke up. "It's been a stressful and emotional day; your parents never help with that."
"Baby, you have to know I want you here." Meryl choked. "I'm so sorry if I..."
Don kissed her lips over and over and over. "You didn't. I'm just, well, I just love you so much and want you to be okay."
"I am whenever you're here with me." Meryl assured him.
Don nodded with a kiss to her lips as he then looked over at his chosen mother. "Well, Mama Maggie, we have a baby to help encourage into this world."
"I'm game." Maggie said as she kissed the top of Meryl's head and reached over to hold Don's hand. "Let's do this."
***
"You're so close, honey." Maggie encouraged Meryl as she was pushing; and wiped her forehead with a wet washcloth.
Don helped Meryl up; supporting her back with his body as he sat behind her. He winked at Maggie as he kissed Meryl's cheek and held both of her hands in both of his. "You've got this, Darl. After this I will get whatever you want to eat."
"You're not leaving right?" Meryl asked at him worried.
Don scoffed at her. "Of course not; you're stuck with me and then soon and I can take both of you home to New York."
"Whatever you two want then Mike and I will go get." Maggie pointed out. "I know there's no way Larry's brother from another mother is going to leave his girl."
Don mouthed 'thank you' to Maggie. "You're absolutely right about that."
"Okay, Meryl." The doctor said. "Another push."
Don helped Meryl sit up. "You've got this, baby. You can do this."
"I can't." Meryl cried as she looked back at Don. "I'm so tired I can't do this. I meant what I said earlier. Someone else needs to do this. I want someone else to do this."
Don looked at Maggie motioning for her to help support Meryl's back and Maggie nodded. Don quickly got out from behind Meryl and held her head in his hand; and he pressed his forehead against hers. "Look at me, baby."
"Hi." She finally smiled.
Don couldn't help but chuckle as he kissed her lips. "Hey, baby; you can do this. You are the only woman who can do this. You are the only woman I have ever wanted to have my babies. Thank God you are the one bringing our baby into the world; you know if it was up to me then I never would have gotten this far. I'm too much of a baby. Just think of when I'm sick." He knew that would get a laugh out of her and it worked. "What do you call it?"
"Man flu." She teased.
Don nodded. "What do you say, love? One more push and we get to meet our baby?"
"Let's do it." Meryl smiled as Don and Maggie helped her up.
Maggie smiled as she brushed Meryl's hair off her face. "Thank you for being so good to our Don and for all these babies."
"He's damn good to me." Meryl said kissing Don's lips. "I'm ready, Don Man."
Don couldn't resist placing a hard kiss on her lips and then he looked at the doctor. "You heard her; let's meet our baby."
"Okay, one big push." The doctor encouraged Meryl. "One...two...three."
Meryl screamed as she felt the baby slip from her baby. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHUUUUUHGGGGGGHHHHH."
Maggie looked on in awe. "You did it, Mer, you did it."
"You have yourself a perfect baby girl." The doctor announced as they all heard crying. "Don, would you like to cut the cord?"
Maggie smiled at him. "Go. I've got her."
"Thanks." Don smiled as he crushed his lips to Meryl's. "You did so good. I love you so much."
Meryl's tears of happiness matched her husband's. "I love you, too; so damn much. I want to see our baby girl."
"I'll be right back." Don said as he went over and cut the cord and brought the baby to her. "Here she is, Darl."
Maggie's breath was taken away. "She is so beautiful."
"Just like her mama." Don whispered with a kiss to Meryl's head.
Meryl shook her head. "She is definitely a Gummer through and through."
"Thank you for her, for her siblings...." Don choked. "Thank you for her mother."
Meryl pressed her head against his. "Thank you for being the greatest break in my life and for all these gifts. So, name?"
"Like we've been talking for a girl?" Don asked.
Meryl nodded with a smile. "Evangeline Karalea Gummer."
"Welcome to the world, Evangeline." Don whispered with a kiss to his baby's head. "Boy are you going to have some surprised siblings whenever we get home."
***
Later once Evangeline was all cleaned up and Maggie and Mike had a chance to spend time with their new granddaughter and the proud parents; Don and Meryl were left with their new baby. Don was in Meryl's bed holding their baby as Meryl was in the bathroom and he started talking to her. "So Darl, I talked to the pilot and he will be ready whenever we are. If you and Evangeline continue to do so well then you will probably get released tomorrow. The doctor said that flying shouldn't be a problem. But I'm wondering if maybe we should drive home. I know it would take longer. It's just that if something would arise then we would be on the ground and not in the air. What do you think, baby? Whatever you feel is best is what we will do. Only you know how you feel. Darl? Sweetheart?" At just that moment Don heard a crash. He ran in to the bathroom only to find his wife collapsed on the floor in a pool of her own blood and she was gray. "MERYL!!!!!!!!!"
***
"MERYL!" Don screamed from deep in his soul.
Meryl sat up in a start, which didn't help her incisions, but she didn't care. She could hear Don screaming and feel sweat dripping off him. She reached over and turned on the light. She could tell he was still asleep. "Don, wake up, baby! DON MAN! WAKE UP!"
"MERYL?" Don sat up as he looked around. "What? Evangeline?"
Meryl shook his head. "Sweetheart, what are you talking about?"
"You're alive? You're okay?" Don was breathing hard. "You didn't die in Indianapolis having Evangeline."
He wasn't making sense; but Meryl knew he had been dreaming. "Baby, you had a dream."
***
"DON!" Jane sat up in bed as her son's screams downstairs woke her up.
Brad quickly turned on the lamp and looked at his wife. "You heard that too?"
"Listen." Jane paused as they heard their son scream his wife's name again. "It is him."
Brad jumped out of bed and held his hand out to his wife. "Come on."
"What on earth could have happened?" Jane asked in concern. "I've never heard him yell like that."
Brad shook his head as they left the bedroom upstairs. "I haven't either."
"Things were going so well for them." Jane choked as they ran downstairs.
Once they approached the bedroom Don and Meryl were staying in they saw Meryl sitting up in bed next to her husband, the light on and she was consoling him. Brad pulled Jane back from going into the bedroom. "Let's let Meryl handle it unless she needs reinforcements."
"Yeah." Jane whispered as she and Brad continued to stand outside the room their son and his wife were staying in; undetected.
***
Meryl reached for her water bottle on her bedside table and gave it to Don. "Here, baby; please drink this."
"You're okay?" Don asked shakily.
Meryl smiled tenderly at him. "Well, I will be once I know you are."
"I'm so confused, Meryl." Don shook his head. "I'll be damned if I know what I'm remembering really happened; and what is a dream. I feel like I have all these memories swirling around in my head; and I'm trying to discern what's what."
Meryl's heart broke for him; she knew it had to be incredibly confusing. "It sounds like you were just dreaming. We are both in our apartment with Brady and Mags who are still sleeping. We're down here in the guest bedroom since you're not supposed to do the stairs yet; while Jane and Brad are upstairs."
"Yeah, okay." Don breathed. "Brad? As in my dad? So James is dead."
Unbeknownst to Meryl, her in-laws were giving each other a look as she continued to try to calm down her husband. "Yeah baby, James is dead. He's not your father."
"Yeah, I know...my dream was about him." Don sighed. "I'm sorry; you don't need to be dealing with this or with me right now."
Meryl shook her head as she ran her fingers through his hair. "I always want to be dealing with you."
"Smart answer." Don said and then looked down.
Meryl sighed as she lifted his chin so she could look deep into his eyes. "Come on, Don Man; what was it about?"
"It was back when Southern Circle was installed and dedicated in Indianapolis." Don began.
Meryl was relieved he was talking about whatever it was. "One of my favorite sculptures."
"You say that about all of them." Don pointed out with a laugh.
Meryl shrugged. "Because they all are. Now, that was a spectacular trip. Remember the hotel room?"
"Of course I do." He winked. "That wasn't the case in this dream You were about 9 months pregnant and we ended up having a baby girl, Evangeline."
Meryl smiled softly. "Baby, I wasn't pregnant then."
"I know that now that I'm awake." Don breathed. "It felt damn real."
Meryl nodded. "What happened, Don Man?"
"It started with us at the dedication then we went out to Mike and Maggie's for dinner. She convinced us to stay since you were so pregnant and it would be easier on you. Then my mom called and manipulated you into us going out there for lunch the next day; saying James would be gone." Brad grabbed Jane's hand for support. "I was clear that I didn't want you put down or hurt. I was terrified something would happen to you out there."
Meryl whispered as she kissed his lips. "You always are, my love. Baby remember, we are in such a different place with your mom. It's so much better. The things she did and said back then she wouldn't do now."
"I know; and I'm so glad but I'm still adjusting to that new normal." Don explained. "We went out to the house for lunch; and Mom started in on you and I didn't handle that well."
Meryl tried to inject some levity. "Really? You?"
"Funny." Don teased back. "Mom wanted me to go out to the garden to fix a sculpture I made, though I didn't really want to leave you; but you convinced me it would be alright. I waited until you were asleep and went out to the garden to fix it. While I was gone James came in and kicked you in the back causing you to go into labor. He then pushed you to the floor and made you clean up from where your water broke on the floor. When I came in you were screaming for me, screaming in pain; but he wouldn't let you go until you cleaned it up. He told you I left you. He didn't come get me, Meryl. You were screaming for me. You were in labor. I didn't leave. He didn't come get me."
Meryl sighed as she wiped away a few of his stray tears. "But baby, that didn't happen. Even if it would have it would NOT have been your fault, sweetheart. It didn't happen. Yeah, we had a run in with him when we were there for that dedication but you protected me just like you always do."
"The thing is...it DID happen." Don pointed out as she gave him a look. "Okay, not like in the dream but he did hit you. He did push himself on you. He did fill your head with lies; which of course you didn't believe. He tried to pay you to leave me. He lead your rapist to you and Hen. He did hurt you; so so badly."
Meryl shook her head as she kissed his lips over and over. "Every time you were there to protect me and the kids. Yeah, he did those things; but he hurt you so much worse. Yet, you didn't let him break you."
"Because I had you." Don whispered as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
Meryl smiled softly at him. "You still do."
"Thank God." Don stroked her cheek. "Back to the dream...I picked you up and took you to the nearest hospital while James was yelling at us to clean up the mess. I told him to go to hell. I called Mike and Maggie so they came up and were with us. Maggie was in the room when we had the baby; you wanted her in there with us. Everything was fine. Then later when it was just us I was talking to you as you were in the bathroom and you didn't answer and I walked in and you were passed out on the floor in a pool of your own blood. Then I woke up." Don choked as she crushed her lips to his; both of them extending the kiss for as long as possible until they both needed to breathe. "What was that for?"
Meryl choked on her tears as she pressed her forehead to his. Neither of them knowing that his parents had been watching all of this unfold. "Because I love you so damn much. Because you NEVER let him hurt me. Because you have risked your life over and over and over for me and all of our children. Because I have no idea what I ever did to get to spend my life with you; and I have no idea where you came from but I thank GOD that you are my partner."
"I love you too, baby." Don choked.
Meryl laughed because that was the summary of everything she just said-she loved him, so much. "You stood up for us against him time and again. You put your wife and children first over and over. We have always been first with you, Don Man; I know that, baby."
"I was able to do that because of you." Don breathed. "Because I knew no matter what that you supported me. You were always there with unconditional love with your arms and heart wide open to me. You were with me every single step of the way. I couldn't be where I am or who I am without you."
Now that their son was calmer Brad whispered into Jane's ear. "Come on, honey, let's go to bed."
"I wouldn't be where I am, or who I am, without the GREAT Don Gummer." Meryl was relieved that he was no longer sweating and that his breathing was more even. "You feel better, handsome?"
Don smiled sheepishly as he nodded. "I'm sorry; I really didn't mean to wake you up and worry you."
"And I really mean it when I say I wouldn't have it any other way." Meryl took a deep breath. "Baby, as glad as we both are that you're home; and believe me when I say no one is happier about that than me, but there are bound to be some tough spots. You're trying to remember the last 10 months. All of these new things and stories are being thrown at you. It must be overwhelming."
Don nodded. "But this is how I will remember; I don't want the stories to end and I am loving all this reminiscing."
"Okay." Meryl said; wanting to do whatever was best for him. "I'm not really surprised you dreamed something like this though; there has been a lot of talk about James today."
Don nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. Thank you for being here for me, Darl."
"Only place I want to be." Meryl whispered with yet another kiss to his lips. "Think you can get some sleep?"
Don nodded as she turned off the lamp. "Can I hold you?"
"That's a silly question." Meryl said as she laid her head on his chest. "Night Don Man; I love you so damn much."
Don placed a kiss on top of her head. "I love you too, baby; night."
***
"I don't think I realized." Jane said to Brad once they were back in bed.
Brad took a drink of water and looked at his wife. "You don't think you realized what?"
"What all Don and Meryl have gone through together." Jane said. "How she has been there for our son no matter what; and how truly afraid for his family he has been all of his life."
Brad didn't quite understand. After the first day spent with Don and Meryl at Thanksgiving the previous year he understood; he wasn't quite sure how his wife couldn't have understood. "How come?"
"I'm not sure." Jane said. "I guess I was so wrapped up in James that I never tried to see their side. I couldn't see what Don was protecting. I couldn't see how Meryl would LITERALLY do ANYTHING for our son and our grandchildren. I didn't see it. How could I not see it, Brad? I mean he would tell me over and over; she was constantly showing how he and the kids were everything to her, and yet I still didn't see it."
Brad shrugged. "Maybe you weren't in a place to see it then. What matters honey, is you see it now; and Meryl reminded Don how much better things are. You can't be upset with him; his memories must be a jumbled mess."
"I'm not at all." Jane smiled softly. "I'm just glad we have this time. I'm so grateful for Meryl and all she is to him."
Brad kissed Janes cheek as he turned out the light and they laid down. "I am too. It's a new beginning, honey...for everyone."
***