Until the Very End

Chapter 24

"Okay, Hal can see you at 10." Meryl smiled as she sat down on the sofa with her husband while the babies were on the floor on their playmats. "He said it was okay that you had breakfast."

Don reached his hand over to lace his fingers through hers. "Darl, I'm really okay. The surgeon said so. I'm sure you have lots of other things to do today..."

"Than make sure the love of my life is alright?" Meryl cocked her eyebrow at him. "There is nothing more important than that. Besides, Di and I went through the wedding stuff yesterday. I have nothing on my calendar except making sure my guy is alright and spending time with our babies."

Just as she said that the phone rang. "I think you spoke too soon."

"Probably; we are most definitely back." Meryl said with a roll of her eyes. "Hello?"

Third Streep took a deep breath. "Hey, big sis. Welcome home."

"Thanks, little brother." Meryl smiled as she mouthed to Don that it was Third on the phone. "But you told us that when you came over last night."

Third let out a loud laugh. "True. Listen, I'm sorry to lay this on you now with Don recovering and all. But Dana called. His therapy is going well, and part of becoming him again is making..."

"A mends." Meryl breathed. She had texted only a few times with her youngest brother since his surgery, and he really did seem changed. However, she was still really leery. "I knew it would have to happen at some point."

Third hoped he didn't regret what he was going to propose. "He would like for us to come to see him this afternoon. I completely understand how you and Don feel, so if you say no, then no it is. I don't want you to feel pressured."

"I don't know, Third." Meryl said looking at her husband and youngest children, remembering all that Dana did to them. "I'm taking Don to see Hal at 10 this morning, to make sure he is healing alright. I seriously doubt Hal will release him to lift the babies, and I don't want to leave them alone. I also don't want Dana around my husband or children yet. Not until I know he has changed."

Don could tell how conflicted his wife was, and reached over to take her hand in his. "Baby, you can go during their nap time. Besides, Hen said he and Lily were going to come over today. I just hate not being there for you."

"Mary, put me on speaker." Third said as she did. "Bud, I know how you feel. I won't let anything happen to her. You know how I have felt during all of this and how my brother has treated both of you and the babies. You can trust me."

Don wrapped his arm protectively around Meryl as he tenderly kissed her forehead. "I know you won't let anything happen to her, and of course I trust you. Ultimately, it's up to Meryl. I will support whatever she decides."

"I know you will." Meryl winked at him while taking a deep breath. "Okay, I will call you after Don's appointment. I want to make sure that Hen is still coming over. I don't want this to be an all-day thing. I owe it to Mama and Daddy to try."

Third nodded. "Okay, I will talk to you soon. Don, good luck with Hal."

"Thanks, Third." Don said as they said their goodbyes then he turned to his wife. "You're okay doing this?"

Meryl nodded as she thought about everything. "I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I just hate leaving you to go see him."

"Baby, it's not about me or the babies or the older kids." Don said as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "This is about you. If this is something that you want and need to do, then I fully support you. I just want you to be so careful."