So this is gonna be pure fluff through this chapter and if you're all good I have a second cake-sticky smutty chapter in the works. So write those reviews. They are like oxygen for me.

Again I have to thank Oneapotheosis for helping me out with the English.

Sweetest Forgiveness

Henry was late. He knew that. It'd taken longer than usual to get through the afternoon traffic on this day, and today of all days. He'd promised her that he would be there tonight, and after the last time - when he'd lied and not turned up at all, he wanted to make it up to her. As he pulled up to the entrance, his phone buzzed with an incoming text.

8:13: It started at 7.30! You are late Professor!

He sighed and stepped out of the vehicle, handing his keys to the valet and hurried into the building. The sound of music and people talking drifted from somewhere upstairs, echoing into the enormous hallway where he now stood. In the centre of the hall was a wide staircase; Leading to a landing, it then divided and continued up either side to the first floor. At the foot of the staircase, two men dressed in black suits were positioned. They looked stern and gave no doubt that they meant business. No one would pass them that weren't supposed to. He reached inside his suit to find his ID and approached the men.

"Good evening, Dr. McCord." One of them greeted him, maintaining his stony character. "Cutting it a bit late?" He pressed. Henry flashed the ID card, despite being recognised, but mostly as he wasn't familiar with the other agent. He just wanted to pass without further delay.

"Hi guys. Yeah, got stuck in traffic on my way home. Took me forever. I assume she is already here?"

"Yes, sir. This is Michael by the way. He is new." He gestured towards the other DS-agent. "Michael this is Dr. McCord. He is the husband of Secretary McCord." Henry held out his hand and the agent shook it.

"Glad to have you on board" Henry said. "I'm sorry but I need to get going. I am in enough trouble as it is, don't need to fuel the fire by being even later." He apologised.

The agents parted and Henry climbed the stairs, skipping every second one. When he reached the first floor, he hurried in the direction of a pair of open French doors guarded by two more agents. The music grew louder as he walked through the doors, and he saw a few people gathered in the relatively small front room. He walked passed, nodding politely to a few that he recognised as officials from the State Department. Passing through another set of French doors, he found himself in a ball room. He quickly scanned the room - There was a band in the far corner to the right playing a subtle jazz number, and a few couples were swaying to the music on the dance-floor. To his left, tables filled with food had been set up, and waiters stood behind, ready to serve. His stomach growled. He'd expected rubber chicken - the most common meal of choice for functions like this. Pleasantly surprised, he remembered that he hadn't eaten anything since lunch.

He walked passed the buffet in direction of an area with round tables, white linen and floral centre pieces set up for the guests. The smell of delicious food filled his nostrils as he passed, and he noticed that the last table was filled with all kinds of spectacular looking cakes and baked goods. Making a mental note to leave room for dessert, he walked on in search of his wife. Skimming the room, he couldn't see her anywhere; there were so many people and he found himself looking for her blonde hair through the crowds. It dawned on him that he didn't know what she was wearing tonight.

"Sir?" He vaguely noticed someone was speaking to him. Turning, a waitress was looking at him questioningly.

"Sorry?" he beckoned.

"Would you like some champagne, Sir?" She asked, probably for the second time.

Henry took a glass from her tray and thanked her, tasting the champagne as she left. His phone vibrated inside the inner pocket of his tux. He reached for it and saw a new text, and one that he'd missed earlier.

8.14: If you don't turn up soon, I might have to consider hooking up with the Italian Ambassador.

8:21: I'm serious. You know I can't resist that Mediterranean look…

He smiled, preparing to respond, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He spun around, and a stunning woman stood there with a perplexed look.

"You know you are at a party, right? Surely you can go without that thing for a few hours." she pointed at his phone.

"I was just reading a message from my wife. I've learned never to ignore her texts." He said putting his phone back in his pocket.

The woman looked at him a moment before answering. "Smart move." She flashed him a gorgeous smile, and Henry noticed how her eyes sparkled as her smile reached them. He couldn't help grinning back. He looked at her. She was amazingly beautiful and wore a floor length black gown, with a black see-through shawl draped over her bare arms.

"So do you work for one of the governmental departments?" She asked as Henry looked back out into the crowd.

"Well, you could say that, but I am here tonight because of my wife." he explained, turning towards her again.

"So your wife works for the government?" She stated, nodding her head in understanding.

"My wife is the Secretary of State." He answered.

She looked at him for a moment, an amused expression on her face. "Wow impressive, I've met her." She stated "I understand that she is a very busy woman. You must get lonely quite often." She stepped forward and leaned in closer, whispering "You are a very handsome man. You should call me the next time you feel lonely. I can make sure you are well taken care of." Her voice was low and sultry, and Henry felt the small hairs on his neck stand. He stepped back, a bit shocked.

"Is that how you always talk to strangers? because I kind of have a problem with that…" he said, giving up the little game they were playing. She shrugged her shoulders and turned to grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. He noticed her dress had a very low back and it looked sexy as hell. Her muscles worked under the skin as she twisted back to face him again and he craned his neck to keep his view of her back. He felt a sudden urge to take her in his arms. Oh how he wanted to touch her.

"See something you like there, Professor?" She laughed as she leaned in to kiss him. "Hi. I thought you'd ditched me." She kissed him again and he wrapped his arms around her.

"You look amazing." His hands trailed down the areas of her spine that were exposed, and he felt her shiver slightly under his touch. "So sexy." he whispered in her ear before kissing her again.

"You are forgiven. And you look very handsome in that tux as well." He smiled and pulled back a little, remembering where they were. She ran her hands up his torso and straitened his butterfly tie. He looked at her, unable to take his eyes from her beautiful face. He sobered up a little and pulled her hand to his mouth, kissing it.

"Did you eat yet?" He knew the answer, and she confirmed it by shaking her head. He pulled her towards the buffet. Unfortunately before they had the chance to load up their plates, Nadine Tolliver came over and whisked Elizabeth right out of his arms again. Elizabeth sent him an apologetic look and gestured towards the food. He sighed heavily, grabbing two plates and allowing the waiter help him fill them both up. He glanced around the room and found her talking to an important looking man that Henry didn't recognize. Moving through the room, he balanced the two plates and placed them down on the table next to where Elizabeth was standing. The man had moved closer to her, and his hand rested on her upper arm. He heard the man speak with what Henry would describe as an Italian accent. The man was flirting heavily with Elizabeth. He stepped closer and she smiled at him.

"Henry, this is Mr. Gallo, the Italian Ambassador." She stepped towards him and the ambassador had to pull his hand back. She gave Henry an amused smile "Mr Gallo, this is my husband, Henry McCord." Henry shook the hand of the ambassador and noticed that he was a bit younger, and very handsome. They exchanged pleasantries, but Henry didn't really want to have a conversation with the man, but better him than Elizabeth he thought. He asked the Italian ambassador a few polite questions about his home. To his surprise, this prompted a conversation about a church near Mr. Gallos hometown that Henry had always loved.

He felt Elizabeths hand glide over his shoulder as she saw the chance to slip over to grab the plate of food that Henry had brought. He smiled and kept the conversation flowing to give her time to eat. He didn't mind keeping her from the handsome Italian as long as possible. She returned with the plate, and let his arm circle around her waist, pulling her closer. He didn't really like the way Gallo was looking at her. He wasn't sure if Elizabeth had noticed too, but she let her head lean on his shoulder as they talked. Eventually, the Italian had to excuse himself and left. Henry collected his own plate of food and began eating. He stopped, suddenly feeling her gaze on him.

"Something wrong?" He asked. She looked on at him without answering, but scrunched up her face, suggesting he had just made an understatement.

"What is with you? First, you are 45 minutes late, and then you act like someone is about to take away your favourite toy!"

Henry sighed not really knowing to what she was referring. "Sorry?"

"Did you think I was going to run off with Gallo? Cause you were hanging on to me pretty tight there Mister." She was teasing him, he realised and he smiled.

"Well he would have his hands all over you if I hadn't intervened. Besides you yourself told me that you were about to run off with him" She looked like she was about to protest but changed her mind. He leaned towards her "He needed to be reminded who you belong to" Henry winked at her.

She smiled and placed her now empty plate on the table. "How about we go show people who you belong to!" She took his hand and he barely had time to put down his plate before she dragged him off to the dance floor.

He pulled her close and led her onto the floor.

Her face came to rest next to his, and he whispered in her ear. "Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?" His lips ghosted over her ear as he spoke and he felt her cheek heat up. He loved how she blushed when he gave her compliments. Her hand moved from his shoulder to his neck and her fingers tangled gently in his short hair. Henry drew in a deep breath, wishing not for the first time tonight that they weren't surrounded by so many people. She felt warm and amazing here in his arms and all he wanted to do was to take her home and spent the rest of the night alone with her in their bed.

"So how long do we have to stay here?" His hand around her waist moved a bit lower. She let out a frustrated sigh close to his ear.

"I have to go back to the State Department with Nadine after this, but it won't take long. I can meet you at home in an hour."

"What, you are done with work here already?" He was surprised.

"Well you were late, remember?" She tucked at his hair a bit. I did all my kick-ass Secretary of State business before you arrived."

She kissed his cheek. "See if you can score a few pieces of dessert and bring them home."

He laughed. "And where do you suppose I should hide them?"

"I am sure you'll find a way." She drawled, her voice low and sultry. "We can eat it in bed…"

Her tone of voice and her warm breath send shivers down his spine. "Deal." The music ended and he escorted her back to their table where Nadine was waiting. Elizabeth nodded to her indicating it was time to go.

"See you in an hour. I love you, drive safe please." she kissed him goodbye with a knowing look and a head jerk towards the dessert table.

"I love you too Babe" And with that, she was gone.

As he walked over to the dessert table he wondered again how he was going to pull this off. Strictly speaking he was pretty sure that it would be frowned upon if they noticed he was about to bring the cake home with him. Ah well he didn't really care. If she wanted dessert in bed, well then he would most definitely provide it and with that he got three different kinds of cake loaded on to a plate. Then he walked from the ball room and down the stairs. He carefully let the plate sink lower and behind him to hide it from the valet as he reached the main door. If he noticed, he didn't say anything. He simply took the receipt and went to get the car.

He climbed inside the car, still trying to hide the plate, and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he cleared the driveway. Not that stealing a plate of cake was a major crime or anything, but he was so relieved that he didn't have to explain it. He wasn't sure he was able to keep a straight face.

When he arrived home, he saw lights illuminating the kitchen. He parked, passed security, and let himself inside. He found his youngest daughter sitting at the kitchen table, buried in a school book. She looked up as he walked through the door.

"Wow, Dad! You look very nice!" she said "How was the party?"

He kissed her on top of her head as he passed her. "Thanks. Even your old man cleans up nice once in a while, huh?" turning on the spot to show off a bit. She snickered "The party was fine. How was your day?"

"It was alright. No major disaster. When is mom coming home?" she looked around like she was expecting to see her somewhere in the kitchen. He placed the plate with the cake on the counter and went back to his daughter, stroking her hair gently. His beautiful, sensitive baby girl.

"She promised she would be home in about 30 minutes. You should go to bed, Noodle."

"I just need to read this chapter and then I am going to bed, I promise"

"Okay. I am going up to bed. Love you kiddo." He grabbed the plate, hoping she wouldn't notice.

"Love you!" she responded absentmindedly. He made it halfway up the stairs before he heard her amused voice again. "Don't forget to brush after all that cake" He laughed at her jibe.

He put the cake down on the dresser and quickly removed his tux, letting it hang neatly on the back of a chair. He decided to forego the usual t-shirt. He wasn't planning on wearing it for long anyway once she was home. He brushed his teeth and checked the time. She was running late. He grabbed his phone, sending her a message,

10.14: You are late! I'm about to eat the cake on my own.

He put the phone down, but it buzzed almost immediately.

10.15: Don't you dare! I have some very interesting plans with that cake. ;-) Will leave in 10!

He smiled feeling the anticipation growing. He really needed to busy himself with something. He found his glasses and pulled out the book he had been reading and made himself comfortable on the bed. He started reading but found himself unable to concentrate on the story. He kept listening, hoping to hear her come through the front door. He suddenly heard someone coming up the stairs but then realizing that it was Ali. He heard her get ready for bed in the bathroom and then walking into her room closing the door. And in all that time he had reread the same paragraph at least 10 times. He groaned and closed his eyes for a second. God he missed her. He opened his eyes again. He really needed to pull himself together. She had said she was on the way surely he could wait. So he picked up his book again and started reading the paragraph once more.

Nearly an hour later than promised he finally heard the door downstairs open and close. He heard the sound of her shoes falling to the floor and smiled. The image of her shredding her shoes unceremoniously and leaving them in the middle of the foyer entered his mind as he heard her ascend the stairs. She entered their bedroom and quietly closed the door behind her.

"Finally!" He said, closing his book. "We had a deal you know. I stole cake and a plate for you, and you come home late!"

"I'm so sorry." She eyed the cake on the dresser. Letting a finger touch a slice, scooping a little chocolate cream. She put the finger in her mouth and sucked it thoroughly. Henry almost caved right there, but instead he stood up and walked towards her.

"And now you are eating the cake on your own!" He said in a steely voice. She turned around giving him another view of the delicious low cut back. She moved her hands to her shoulder and pulled at the dress, letting it fall to the floor, leaving her standing her only in her panties.

He gasped slightly and walked to stand close behind her. He smiled "You're forgiven."