Hi! This story is for randomly-crazy-thinking. I realize I strayed a little from the original prompt, but I hope the fluffiness and length (it's 2 chapters!) of this story help make up for it :). I also apologize for any typos/errors in this story; I was rushing to get it posted and barely did and proofreading. Anyway, here it is! Let me know what you thought? ;))
"Hey man, relax, alright? There's nothing to worry about," Will said, patting his soon to be brother-in-law on the shoulder.
"That's easy for you to say," Henry remarked, "you've never gotten married before." He continued to pace the length of the bedroom. Within the next hour, he and Elizabeth would stand outside across from the stables at her family's horse farm, and exchange their wedding vows in front of their friends and family.
"True, but come on, Henry, this really is nothing to get stressed about. It's only a wedding."
Just as Henry was about to point out that it was more than "only a wedding" — he was marrying Elizabeth Adams, after all — Audrey, Elizabeth's close friend and maid of honor, burst into the bedroom.
"Hey, what are you doing in here?" Will protested, "you and Lizzie are supposed to be getting ready in her old room, not mine."
"Well, we would be, except I can't find her," Audrey announced, glancing towards Henry. "Elizabeth is missing."
"What do you mean?" The anxiety plaguing Henry's mind surged higher.
"I stepped out of the room for a minute to check on the floral arrangements outside, and when I came back, she wasn't where I left her," Audrey explained matter-of-factly, "I told Elizabeth that I would touch up her hair and makeup when I came back, but she's not there and I don't know where she would have gone."
Will noticed Henry beginning to panic. It was becoming more and more apparent to him how much Henry really did care about Elizabeth. "Okay, she's probably just nervous. It's understandable."
Audrey nodded. "We have to find her. She's not anywhere downstairs."
"Maybe Lizzie went outside," Will offered, heading to the door in search of his sister.
"I'll come look with you," Audrey said. "Henry, I think you should stay here in case she wanders back up or something."
Henry gave a faint nod and watched Will and Audrey rush out of the room. Where could Elizabeth have gone? His mind raced with thoughts of fear and his own insecurity. Is she alright?... she didn't sound like she had doubts about getting married last night on the phone… I need to find her….
He quickly stepped into the hallway, then turned a corner. The organization of the farmhouse was still fairly new to him; he had only ever visited when Elizabeth brought him home for their most recent holiday. As he approached a room he didn't think he'd been to before, he noticed the door slightly ajar. When he came closer, Henry heard soft sobs coming from inside the room.
"Elizabeth, is that you?"
She suddenly rose from the edge of the bed to shut the door completely, enclosing herself in the room. Henry wasn't supposed to see her in her dress before the wedding.
"Babe, are you okay? Audrey said she couldn't find you," Henry spoke against the closed door.
Elizabeth sniffled, trying not to let him hear her cry. "Henry…."
His heart sank when he heard the way she could barely whisper his name. He wanted to wrap his arms around her so badly. "What's wrong, Elizabeth?"
She just couldn't bring herself to respond. Everything felt heavy, and it was hard to answer Henry when she felt like the world was spinning around her.
"If something's wrong, you can tell me, babe," he prodded. He could barely stand having to try to comfort her with a closed door between them. "Can I come in?"
"No," Elizabeth managed, sniffling. "It's bad luck to see me before the wedding."
Henry sighed softly. Elizabeth had never been very superstitious, but his mother had made sure they didn't take any "risks" with their luck. "Okay, I'll stay here then. Can you tell me what's wrong, babe?"
Where do I even begin? She looked around the room at her surroundings. She saw the vanity where her mother used to put her makeup on every day, the chest of drawers where her father had kept his tie collection. She missed her parents more than she thought ever possible. Her eyes roamed to the framed photograph on the wall near the door. It showed her parents on their wedding day - standing under a tree together, smiling into each other's eyes. Elizabeth would be forever grateful that one of the strongest memories she had of her parents was of their undying love and commitment to each other.
She moved slowly toward the bedroom door, a single tear running down her cheek. Elizabeth carefully pressed her palm against the cool wood door. "Henry?"
"I'm here, Elizabeth."
"I, uh, I just got overwhelmed, I think," she spoke against the doorframe, "just being back here and everything brought back a lot of memories."
Henry placed his palm against the door, trying to be as close to her as possible. "I understand. It's okay." After a few moments, he added, "I love you, Elizabeth. I can't wait to be married to you."
A smile broke out on Elizabeth's face, lifting her spirits slightly. "I love you, too, Henry. I love you so much, baby." He twisted the doorknob gently and began to open the door to the bedroom. "Wait, what are you doing?!"
He only opened the door a little, then slipped his hand through to hold it out to Elizabeth. "Just take my hand." She did, and he held her, lacing their fingers together to show her that he would always be there for her. "Did I ever tell you the story of how I fell in love with you?"
"No, I don't think so."
He spoke to her through the crack between the door and the wall, never letting go of her hand. "Around our third date, when we were having dinner, I asked you about your home. You told me you considered this horse farm your home, because it was where you fell in love with your horses, and you were always surrounded by the love of your family. Then later, you told me about your parents, and I immediately saw how strong you really are, Elizabeth. You experienced a devastating loss, and came out on the other side determined to have a positive impact on the world. You truly inspired me, and I knew from that moment that I was falling in love with you."
Elizabeth squeezed Henry's hand with their fingers still laced together, using her other hand to wipe the tears that streamed down her face. "I never knew that."
"Well, now you do." Henry returned her squeeze gently, noting the sounds of her sniffles again. "And every day since then you've continued to inspire me and make me fall in love all over again." At the sound of approaching footsteps Henry turned slightly and saw Audrey peeking around the corner, an expression of relief across her face. "Hey, babe, Audrey is back. I should go now. I'll see you outside, okay? I love you."
He was about to let go when Elizabeth spoke up. "Wait!" Then she paused, wanting their last words before the ceremony to be perfect. "Thank you, Henry. For telling me that story, and for everything else. I love you."
Henry carefully pulled Elizabeth's hand up to kiss without letting himself see her fully. Exhaling slowly, he finally let go and headed outside for the ceremony.