Envelope 48
Author's Note: We're almost at the end FYI. Thank you for reading. I anticipated 30 chapters and now will finish at 50. Whew! Please leave a review.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
"Were you in on this?" Don asked his mother as they plated his cake that his children were running cake to all of the guests.
"Everyone was," Greta chuckled. "We were all waiting until you were healthy enough to celebrate."
"Well, I'm still not myself," Don admitted. "But I've put on some weight and I've finally started to run a little on my treadmill."
"Don't overdo it," Greta cautioned him, "the idea is to gain weight and not lose it."
"I'm trying to gain muscle ma," Don said as he licked at some icing on his finger.
"He can lift 70 pounds now," Kit said as he walked into the conversation. "That may seem like something a kid could do but…"
"Hey, no smart aleck comments from the peanut gallery," Don chuckled as he hip checked his son, regretting the move immediately because Kit's young and strong hips were not match for his boney and weaker hips.
"Don't cut too much more GG," Kit said. "Agnes is taking a count of how many more pieces."
Greta nodded and Aram walked behind them through the kitchen. "Dumped the diaper on the back porch and I'll get it in the garbage before we…"
"That's fine," Don said over his shoulder. "I'll take it later."
"He's beautiful," Greta said with a smile as she jostled Eich's foot.
"How are his teeth?" Don asked as he turned to take Eich from his dad. "How are they little man?"
"I think he's getting all of them at once," Aram said as he put the diaper bag down on a chair.
Eich continued to drool, his cheeks red as Don bounced him in his arms.
"I'll be right back," Aram said as he took off for the washroom.
"You want some cake?" Don asked as he scooped off a chunk with finger and fed it to Eich, who's eyes went wide with the texture and taste.
"Is he allowed cake?" Linnea asked as she walked into the kitchen with two empty wine glasses and reached for a bottle of red wine.
"Probably not with Charlotte's vegan, organic…whatever diet," Don said as he smiled down at the little baby finishing the last of the icing on his finger.
"Don't let her see you or she'll revoke you as godfather," Linnea smiled at Eich before she walked back into the living room with two filled wine glasses.
"There you are!" Charlotte said as she rounded the corner into the kitchen, she had been in the basement with her and Aram's daughter Gloria.
Don quickly looked at Eich's face and was happy to see the smart baby had destroyed all evidence of cake and icing.
"Yep, just hanging out with me," Don said as he handed him to his mother. "Gloria find the puzzles?"
"Yes, and the Lego," Charlotte smiled.
"I told Aram he can take it," Don said as he bent down and bopped Gloria's nose and she giggled. "I don't know any teenagers that are still playing with it, my kids included."
"She really liked it, so we will take the bin, thanks," Charlotte said as she kissed Eich and then sniffed him.
Don's face reddened, he wasn't sure if she smelled the cake on her son or not, but he didn't want to be there if she did.
"I better go check on some people," Don said as he headed down to the basement.
He got to the bottom and saw Agnes talking with Valentino and Emily.
"Hey," Don said as he saw them.
"Oh, hey dad," Agnes said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He was happy to have her home for another few days before she returned to school.
"Agnes was just telling us about the scouts that have been watching their team," Valentino said.
"They need to let the kids finish their degree first before they try and lure them away with lucrative…"
Agnes started to laugh. "Dad, this is women's soccer. As much as there is equality in many aspects of our lives, women athletes get paid what a male athlete's butler gets paid."
"It can't be that bad," Don said furrowing his brow.
"I'll send you some articles," Agnes chuckled. "I need 6 pieces of cake and then we're done."
"Okay, I…" Don started.
"No, it's your party dad," Agnes said as she kissed his cheek. "Enjoy, I'll get them."
Don smiled at her and she left to finish off the cake order.
"She's amazing Don," Emily said.
"Yeah, she's something special," Don smiled. "But she's finishing college before she does anything else."
Valentino laughed. "I think she'll follow her path."
Don looked at her with an odd expression, wondering what Agnes had told them before he arrived.
"We miss you," Valentino said. "AD McKeller is an asshole."
"I think I was an asshole some days too," Don said, thinking about the man that had been offered the job over Aram, a decision that Don didn't agree with. "It comes with the territory."
"Well, you only have to deal with him for four more months," Emily said as she wrapped an arm around Valentino's waist.
"I heard something about that," Don said with a smile.
"She could have retired years ago," Emily said with a sideways glance at her wife.
"I like my job, is that something to be ashamed of?" Valentino said. It was obviously an old argument.
"Well, I am glad you are taking off for greener pastures," Don smiled at her.
"And you're looking much better than last time I saw you," Valentino smiled at him.
"My bloodwork is good, I've started with weights, and I can do a couple of miles on the treadmill," Don smiled at them. "I'm not sure my body is ever getting back to what it was, but it'll get somewhere better."
They laughed.
"You look great Don," Emily said as she squeezed his bicep. "And heading to Singapore with Linnea and Kit?"
"Yeah, in 6 weeks," Don smiled. "We're going until Agnes finishes her term and exams and then we'll be back state-side."
"Linnea's going back to work?" Valentino asked.
"Yeah, she's heading out Monday," Don said with a nod.
Truthfully, he had mixed emotions about it. He was happy he was in a place where his health was not a concern anymore and he wanted her to go back to her job after taking almost seven months off with him. But, another part of him felt like they hadn't got back to their relationship yet, beyond the treatment, the vomiting, and the recovery. It was only the end of January and he had only started to feel better just after Christmas. They hadn't really had an opportunity to re-connect outside of what had taken over their lives for months.
It was only in the last week that they went out to dinner together for the first time and they had yet to make love, it was weird sleeping with her do closely and not feeling the need to do something more. He had slept with her plenty of nights without sex, but that was their choice, this felt like it was completely out of his hands. He wasn't even sure if she noticed, they hadn't talked about it.
Part of him felt he needed to just be grateful she had stuck with him through the vomiting, chemo, radiation, diarrhea, night sweats, depression, moodiness, and malaise. She had been there to cover him with blankets, cook him bland food, drive him to and from appointments, wipe away his tears, and question the doctors when his brain was foggy and he couldn't comprehend what they were telling him. Linnea had made him laugh, made him still feel like a man, made him feel like what he said mattered, and made him feel like he could do anything.
"She's been amazing through all this," Emily said as she smiled at Don.
"She's…I don't know if I could have done this without her," Don said with a smile. He knew that statement was completely honest.
Just then Park walked down the stairs and he turned to receive a hug from her.
"We have to go," she said as she met his eyes. "Maxine just threw up off your back porch, I think she ate all the leftover cake on people's plates. We have to get her home."
Don smiled and nodded. "Give her children's Gravol. It'll either make her barf up the rest, or calm her stomach. Either way, it will solve the problem a lot quicker than her being sick for the rest of the day."
"Expect to get texts in Singapore," Park smiled at him. "Between me and Aram, he should charge a fee for being on call 24/7 for parenting advice."
The group laughed.
"Who would have thought that, huh?" Don chuckled.
Park leaned in and kissed the side of his face, she had never done that before, so it caught Don off guard.
"You are truly the best dad," she said as honestly. "And I am so happy you are well, and I want you to stay that way forever because I'm going to need help in the teen years if five is any indication of where we're headed."
Don nodded and watched Park wipe at her eyes.
"You know I will always help," Don said as he reached down and squeezed her hand.
"I'm taking you out for lunch before you leave for Singapore," Park said with a smile. "We need to pack more weight on you, you're still looking like cyclist or one of those ultra marathon runners."
The group laughed and Park went back up the stairs.
"I better go and throw some sawdust on that before every neighborhood cat thinks that's dinner," Don said before he made his way up the stairs and out the back door to the garage where he knew there was a bag of leftover mulch.
He saw Zlatko packing a box inside the security apartment and knocked before walking inside.
"He Don," Zlatko smiled at him. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's just weird knowing none of you will be here in a few days," Don said as he looked around. He could count on one hand how many times he had ever walked into this space even though it was in his yard.
"I think you're doing the right thing," Zlatko said as he watched Don look around. "You have had almost fourteen years of quiet to say it's time."
Don nodded.
"You have another gig?" Don asked.
"Linnea set me up with the Serbian Embassy," Zlatko smiled. "All of us, she set us all up with Embassies and various dignitaries. She's amazing."
Don nodded, she had told him she would make sure they were all okay, and with everything going on, he hadn't really asked. Because, honestly, when Linnea said she would do something, it was always done and done well.
"She is that," Don said warmly.
Zlatko chuckled.
"Thanks for everything you have sacrificed, all you have done to keep my family safe," Don said as he reached out a hand for Zlatko to shake. "I would like to take all of you for a nice dinner with the kids this week, could you reach out to the others and see if they are good with that?"
Zlatko smiled and nodded at the man he had come to know so well over almost fourteen years. He was a protective father, a committed agent, a kind man, and a brave person. He was someone Zlatko would have had as a friend.
"It's been great working with you Don," Zlatko said honestly. "You guys are going to be just fine."
Don nodded in agreement and turned to leave the man to pack, noting the piece of cake sitting on the table as he left, that Kit had probably run out. As much as Kit cursed the security in his life, Don knew both his kids were going to miss them.
The security apartment was going to be his new guest quarters. A place where his mom, Robby, the Coopers, Linnea's family, or anyone else could stay when they visited so they had a space to themselves. Agata and Oscar were coming in July and would probably be the first people to try it out.
Hours later, the party in honour of Don-the end of his treatment and the start of his retirement, had wrapped up and Agnes and Kit were in the kitchen arguing over whose turn it was to take out this load of garbage.
He was picking up a phone someone had left behind when he noticed Linnea walk downstairs with a duffle bag slung over her shoulder.
"You going somewhere?" Don asked her.
"We're going somewhere," Linnea said with a devious smile.
Don furrowed his brow and looked at her.
"You and I are leaving the kids, your mom and Robby for a night away," Linnea said as she walked toward him and took his hand in hers pulling him out into the kitchen.
"Where are we going?" Don asked as he was pulled.
They walked into the kitchen and Agnes noticed Linnea with the duffle bag.
"You told him?" Agnes asked Linnea excited.
Don looked around, obviously everyone knew what was going on except him, sort of like the afternoon party that had just ended.
"Not yet," Linnea gave her a wink.
"Robby and I will stay until you get back tomorrow so we can say goodbye before we leave," Greta said as she leaned in and kissed her son's cheek.
"We're gone until tomorrow?" Don asked, noting that it was just before 4pm.
"Say goodnight to everyone," Linnea said as she tugged his hand for them to continue.
"Good night everyone?" Don asked more an offered.
They all chuckled, knowing he was still completely in the dark about Linnea's plans.
"GG, want to watch that new movie with Kinna Wade?" Agnes asked her grandmother as they all turned away from their father taking his mysterious exit.
"Eww, that's a romance," Kit scoffed.
"We can watch something with machine guns upstairs," Robby offered Kit before he ruffled his hair.
The door shut behind Don and he stopped Linnea's forward motion.
"Where are we going?" He asked. "Overnight?"
"Don't worry, I packed your medication and your things," Linnea said before she started to walk toward the garage.
Don looked back at his kids, perfectly happy with their GG and uncle, and walked forward into the garage.
Linnea was almost giddy as she drove him to the warehouse district; he could tell this surprise was meaningful to her. They pulled up outside of a red brick warehouse with a blue door and she parked the car.
"Am I going to know now?" Don asked as he looked around noting there was only one set of tracks in the snow that led to the one parked car next to the door.
"I booked you studio time," Linnea said with a smile.
"What?" Don asked.
"I know you've always wanted to record all the songs you put together," Linnea said.
"They're just instrumental," Don said.
"Well, play them," Linnea said. "And then they'll be recorded."
Don looked at her both amused and confused.
"Just play?" Don asked.
"Yes," Linnea smiled.
They got out of the car and she opened the trunk of his SUV to reveal his guitar case sitting alongside the one duffle bag she had packed for them.
"Linnea, all of them aren't even whole songs, just some bits of songs that I have strung together," Don said, feeling unsure.
"They are beautiful," Linnea said. "I hear you playing and arranging and…and I'm glad you've found your music again."
Don nodded, willing his eyes not to water. He used to play. When he was younger, when he and Liz were together, and when the kids were younger, he'd play for them. Then he stopped. Life got busy, kids got demanding and his guitar gathered dust. Then, after chemo and before radiation, when he had a three-week break, he started to feel better, and one day, he picked it up. He found that it came back to him, the ease of playing, quicker than he expected and he started to do what he used to do, compose songs. None of his songs ever had words, they were always instrumental, but he felt a burst of creativity like he'd never felt before. He had written probably a dozen songs, worked them over, added and changed them in the last few months and it brought him so much joy. He had another ten that were pieces of songs he hadn't quite finished.
Don leaned in and kissed her soundly. She wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss with passion. And, for the first time since his surgery in June, he felt something stir and chills ran up his spine. Don pulled back from her, his eyes clearly surprised.
"What?" She asked, not knowing what only he knew was going on with his body.
"I just love you," Don said with a smile before he leaned in again, allowing the feeling of physical desire, which had left him for months, come back.
Linnea was surprised when she found herself making out like a teenager in the cold and snow outside of a music studio with no sound but their warm breath and the wind whistling through the air and across the old brick buildings around them.
Their scene was starting to get a little too steamy as Don grabbed her ass and started to drop his hand lower so it was pulling her leg up along the outside of his leg.
"Are you my 4:30?!" A man yelled from the blue door.
Linnea and Don pulled apart and he dropped her leg.
"Yes, yes, we are!" Linnea called back and she straightened her coat and her hair and, from the look on Don's face, he wanted to cancel the appointment and probably take her up against the side of the SUV in broad daylight.
"We'll be right in," Don called, his voice strained.
"I see we are back?" Linnea asked him with a glint in her eye as she looked at his darkened eyes and that expression on his face that meant he wanted to get her into a bed and not leave for a week.
She wasn't a stupid woman. She knew he was struggling with his feelings of manliness, sexuality, and self esteem. She knew Don put up a good front, but that he was worried that he wasn't the man he used to be, the man he wanted to be, or the man he wanted to be for her.
"How long is this studio session?" Don asked, his heart racing and his body out of breath.
"Two hours and then we have dinner reservations at…"
"Cancel dinner," Don said with a smirk as he reached for his guitar. "We'll get room service."
Linnea chuckled and closed the trunk and they walked into the studio together.
Once he calmed his heart rate and after a few messed up takes, Don got the feel for being in the studio and liked the sound quality, direction from Henry, and the feeling of getting all that he'd been working on out. Without any vocals, it was relatively easy to record unless he missed a note. Two hours later, he had four songs recorded and was shaking Henry's hand and booking another couple of sessions to record the rest of them.
And that night, at the St Regis, in a beautiful suite that Linnea had booked, not knowing what was going to happen, but knowing Don needed to understand that they would figure this out together, Linnea and Don made love. It was a powerful moment for both of them, after everything they had been through, all the worry, the changes, the challenges, and his concern that he was not quite the man he used to be. Linnea made him feel special and virile and strong, and he made her feel sexy and needed and young, and together, they found their way forward.
And by morning, the way forward included an emotional proposal, a call to a judge Don knew, a call to his family, a quick swing by a jewellers for wedding bands, texts to some friends who lived in DC, , and a small ceremony in Don's living room on a Sunday evening with leftover cake from the day before, wine, and a lot of tears and laughter. Kit took most of the pictures and Agnes played Into My Arms on the speakers and Don danced with his wife.
To be continued…