Until the Very End

Chapter 52

Meryl really tried to control her emotions when Don was kissing the babies goodbye. She couldn't help but think about how she wouldn't be responsible for her actions if Raymore took her husband away from their children, and their children away from him. She held onto Don's hand tightly as they walked to the courtroom, thinking that there was no way it would come to that. As they walked she just stared at her husband thinking what an amazing person he was and how much he loved her and their children to the point of dying for them. She didn't know what on earth she did to get to spend her life with her husband, but she was going to do everything in her power to protect him from the madness of that psycho. As they approached the courtroom she stopped him. "Darl, are you okay?"

"Before we go in there, I want you to know how damn much I love you." Meryl choked as tears appeared in his eyes. "You mean more to me than you will EVER know, my Don Man."

Don looked bent down to brush his lips across hers. He was trying not to get too emotional, but if for some reason this was the last time they would be alone, he had things he wanted to say. "You, Mary Louise Streep Gummer, are by far and hands down the BEST thing that has ever happened to me. The life and love we have created is my stabilizing force. I know that I can get through anything this world throws at us as long as I have you."

"Always." Meryl leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his lips. "Let's get this over with so we can go home."

"Such a smart woman." Don winked at her and they walked into the courtroom and he was shocked at who he saw sitting with Larry. "Papa Mike? Mama Maggie?"

Meryl looked at her husband equally as shocked as he was looking at her as they greeted his chosen parents. "What are you two doing here?"

"I know you two said not to come." Maggie smiled as she hugged Don. "I couldn't stay away."

"We couldn't stay away." Mike said as he wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder. "We can always help Lizzie with the babies, but Don if it is okay with you, I would like to be a part of your legal team."

"Okay?" Don couldn't help but chuckle. "That means the world to me. Of course."

Meryl felt even better knowing that both Brown men were taking on her husband's case in this civil suit. "Anything if it means my husband is coming home with us later."

"He will, M." Larry said strongly. "I am more confident than ever that it is in the bag."

Mike pointed to the table. "Don, Larry and I will sit up here with you."

"What about Meryl?" Don asked confused. "We've always sat together."

Meryl nodded her head vehemently. "Not only do I want to be with him, but how will it look if I'm not with him?"

"Baby, you will be." Don said as he took her hand in his and kissed it. He could tell by the looks on both Larry and Mike's faces that it was protocol. "She can sit behind me, right?"

"Of course." Larry smiled softly at Meryl. "Honey, it is protocol. He is the defendant so it should only be him with his lawyers at the table."

Mike nodded in agreement. "We can't give Raymore or his team any room to say that this wasn't handled by the book."

"I get it." Meryl tried to smile. "I just wanted to be with him."

"You will be." Don said with a kiss to her cheek and then looked at his chosen mother. "You'll sit with her?"

Maggie nodded her head with a smile. "Of course."

"Okay, that's settled." Don said as he was trying to remain positive and strong. "What else?"