Until the Very End

Chapter 10

It was two days later on February 16th, and all the Gummers had a wonderful time together out at the beach house in Maine. After the excitement on Valentine's Day with Mags and her injury, things had calmed down. Mags was acting more and more like herself over the next couple of days. After Don and Meryl woke up every few hours to check on Mags the first night, they were comfortable that she was fine and weren't as worried about it the next evening. However, they were parents, so they naturally woke up often to make sure she was okay. Everything was back to normal with their older girls, everything forgiven, and almost forgotten about had it not been for the big bump on Mags' head. On Friday, the whole family had a wonderful day of being together. While all of the older kids went out on the snowmobiles Don had bought, Don and Meryl stayed back at the house with the 3 babies. Meryl told Don he could go out on the snowmobiles with the kids while she stayed with the babies while they napped, but Don wanted the older kids to go out and have fun and he wanted some downtime with his wife. That day was filled with lots of eating, cooking, laughing, playing games and just spending some time together. When Don had first been dreaming up his Valentine's Day weekend getaway for Meryl and imagined all of the kids being there, it was just like what happened. He was so glad that despite the little bump in the road that everything worked out just as he wanted. All of the older kids would be leaving on Saturday which would leave Don and Meryl a few days to be at their new home with their babies. Everything was going perfectly.

***

Meryl smiled as she woke up on Saturday morning when she felt her husband hold her from behind. She could tell from his morning arousal and the way he was breathing into her ear that he was indeed awake. Knowing that after all these years that her husband still woke up wanting her, needing her, and craving her meant so much to Meryl. At an age when most men dealt with dysfunction in that area, her husband certainly had no problems. Even if he did, she knew that wouldn't change how she felt about him...at all. Meryl sighed happily as she felt her husband's arms around her. "Hello there, my Don Man."

"Morning, baby." Don pulled her body closer to his as he kissed her neck. "How's my girl? Sleep okay?"

Meryl smiled as she turned in his arms and threw her leg over his hip. "I always sleep well when I'm in your arms, and we're not so worried about the girl."

"That little daredevil." Don laughed as he ran his finger underneath Meryl's tank top and nursing bra straps. "She was much more herself last night."

Meryl nodded as she ran her hands up and down his chest. "She was, thank goodness. So, how's my guy?"

"So damn happy." Don had a big smile on his face. "When I started planning this weekend it was just like what really happened. Everything was perfect. Well, except for your daughter throwing herself off the sofa."

Meryl saw the glint in his eyes and she playfully swatted his chest. "My daughter? Don't you mean OUR daughter?"

"Nope, your daughter." Don chuckled. "When she does something crazy."

Meryl shook her head as she straddled him and had a playful smirk on her lips. "Crazy? I believe her father is the one who used to do all those daredevil things like getting in motorcycle accidents..."

"Which led me to you." Don cupped his hand behind her head and pulled her head down to his so his lips were only mere inches from hers. "Wish I wouldn't have gotten into that accident by being a daredevil?"

Meryl shook her head as she tenderly kissed his lips. "Not since it allowed us to grow closer, and for me to take care of you while you were recovering."

"I'll forever be grateful for that accident." Don whispered as he flipped her over. "It brought me home...you're my home."

Just as Don thrust his tongue into her mouth, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, they heard Mags crying. Meryl sighed. "Now she's your daughter."