Until the Very End

Chapter 3

"Seriously, M." Don said as he feasted on his Filet Mignon, and reached over to stroke her fingers. "How did you manage all this? A private room in the most popular steakhouse in Tribeca on a Friday night, my favorite appetizer and steak."

Meryl smiled as she finished her grilled salmon. "I have my ways. Ordering wasn't the hard part, I know what your favorite is here. Besides, it's good to be Meryl Streep at times; and it is always wonderful to be Meryl Gummer."

"Somehow..." Don winked at her. "I knew you were going to say that."

"And I knew you were going to say that." Meryl flirted making both of them laugh, and she then laced her fingers through his. "You know, couples say how the passion dwindles when their partner knows so much about them. I love it. I love that you know me better than I know myself. It's comforting to me. And yet, things are always new and exciting."

Don brought her hand up to his lips. "I feel the same way, baby. Yes, you know me better than I know myself, and I love that. I also love how every touch, every glance and even every date night is new and exciting. It's the comfort of being married to your best friend."

"The best thing in my life." Meryl smiled as she drank her water. "Now, let's eat up because you are going to need your strength.

"Now, I didn't know you were going to say that." Don teased. "But I like the sound of it."

***

Don and Meryl had just finished eating when a song came on the sound system that meant so much to them. It especially meant a great deal to Meryl when she thought of the video Don made for her the night before she was going in for surgery to postpone labor with Brady and Mags. He then had Henry sing it at their vow renewal earlier that month out at Mason's Island. Now, whenever Meryl would hear this song, she needed to be close to him. Don could sense it, and he needed the same thing as well. He quickly stood up and held his hand out to her, wanting to be the one to ask the question. "My beautiful wife, may I please have this dance?"

"You beat me to it." Meryl smiled as she accepted his hand and he immediately pulled her to his body, his left hand holding her against his heart. Their bodies fit together perfectly as they swayed together to the music, as though they were one. "You never have to ask. This song means so much to me."

Don pressed his forehead to hers. "Me too, baby."

Forever can never be long enough for me

Feel like I've had long enough with you

Forget the world now we won't let them see

But there's one thing left to do

Now that the weight has lifted

Love has surely shifted my way

"I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to me to see that video." Meryl choked as she thought back to that scary night. "To hear you ask me to marry you all over again."

Don wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumbs. "It had been on my heart for a while, and I was so damn scared that night. I tried to tell myself it would be alright, that you were a fighter and you were getting the best care. However, I couldn't let that moment slip me by. I couldn't let you be wheeled back to that surgery without me asking you to be my wife all over again."

Marry me

Today and every day

Marry me

If I ever get the nerve to say

Hello in this cafe

Say you will