AN: Hi again. I'm sorry this is yet another new story and not Love Letters. But Love Letters is finally coming along again, and I've settled on a plot moving forward. So as soon as I can get it to a good spot - it will be up. However, wanted to post this in the interim (at least it's something right!) . This story takes place right after the party in A Beautiful Game and will have a part 2. Please leave reviews, they make my day!
Strong & Beautiful
Henry frowned, watching his wife sigh and retreat to the bathroom after his "Madam Sexytary" comment failed to cheer his wife up.
A moment later, he rose and followed her into the bathroom. Her hair had been pinned back with a clip as she bent over the sink vigorously scrubbing the makeup and the day from her face. He continued to watch as she scrutinized her face internally in the mirror after she scrubbed her skin red. She fingered the fine lines the magazine had erased away and sighed as she reached for her night cream, massaging it into her skin and sighing.
Henry saw this as his moment of opportunity. In three strides he stood behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her middle and kissing her neck, effectively pinning her in front of the mirror. She smiled slightly at the affection, but tried to push him away after a few seconds.
Tightening his grip on her he whispered. "Nah, babe. Stay here for a minute. I want you to see something. Look in the mirror."
Elizabeth huffed, rolling her eyes. "I just want to go to bed. It's been a long day."
"Please, babe?"
Elizabeth huffed again, looking in the mirror as requested and waited. "Fine. What do you want me to look at?"
Henry lifted his head from her neck and stood proudly behind her, hands resting on her shoulders. "You."
"Henry..." she whined, her head falling back.
"Babe. Seriously. Earlier I told you I loved every line on your beautiful face, and called you Madam Sexytary. And while those things are true, I see you aren't believing them today. So I want you to really see what I see."
"Henry, that's sweet and all. And I do believe you…but it's been a long day. I have on my ratty pjs, no makeup…can't we do this later?"
"No. Now is the perfect time. Because I love you in ratty pj's and no makeup. Right here in this moment, I think you are just as beautiful as ever. In fact, I think you are more beautiful each and everyday. And what I'm about to show you is something that can never be captured properly in a magazine."
Elizabeth blushed a bit and looked down.
"Ah ah. Look up." Henry instructed with a smile, finally beginning to break through to her. "Let's start here, with your brain." He added, kissing her forehead.
Elizabeth laughed. "My brain?"
"Yes, your brain. You my love are so intelligent, and everyone who matters knows it. I know I've told you this before – but your intelligence was one of the first things I was attracted to in college. The president told you that you think outside the box, and you do. Your parents told you that you were gifted, and you are. Hell, even Russell called you brilliant. And you are, Elizabeth. You are wise beyond your years. You have managed to think of solutions for so many issues as Secretary of State, it's nothing short of amazing." He said.
Elizabeth looked down. "Henry…"
Henry smiled back at her in the mirror. "I'm not done babe." He leaned around her planting a kiss on her eyelids. "Next, let's discuss your eyes. They are the purest blue I've ever seen and so expressive. I know exactly what you are thinking, just by looking at them. When you are happy, they light up. They sparkle when you flirt with me." He added, tickling her ribs as she let out a giggle. "And when you are angry, or in a passionate debate they flare up and turn a darker blue. And when you are sad….beautiful tears fall from them. And these lines you are so worried about…." He fingered her crows feet, "these barley visible lines, are there from all the years of smiles and laughs you have given me and the kids. And I love that we've given each other lines and shared so much happiness together."
Elizabeth reached up her hands to grip his as a few of those beautiful tears Henry mentioned threatened to fall. Henry grabbed her fingers and turned her to the side so he could step in front of her and kiss her properly. "Your lips, and your mouth…." Henry mumbled into the gentle kiss. "Where do I start? I mean, first…you have a beautiful smile. The same smile I see in our girls." He kissed her again. "You are an amazing kisser. I'll never tire of the way your lips feel on mine." More kisses ensued before he continued. "And your mouth…..you use your voice to speak such powerful words. You've used your voice to negotiate peace and trade across the world. But my favorite words are your words of love when you talk to me and the kids."
Elizabeth was beginning to come around. He noticed it in her eyes and her smile and he turned her back around to look in the mirror again, her lips swollen from their kisses. He gently caressed her cheek as he whispered into her ear. "I love when your cheeks flush when I whisper something naughty in your ear." Just as he did, his words and his breath brought a blush to her cheeks and sent a shiver down her spine.
Henry continued, nibbling her earlobe. "Your ears…you have always been such a good listener."
Henry continued his journey down her neck, paying particular attention to the spot just below her ear. "I love that only I know this is one of your weak spots." Shivers ran down her spine as she moved her head to allow him better access, keeping her eyes on him in the mirror.
He looked up to her in the mirror as he trailed kisses down her neck. "I love your neck. It's so elegant and you always use it to hold your head high. Even when things don't go your way, you stand your ground proudly."
His hands wandered to the hem of her tee shirt. "Might I say before we move on, I love your mis-matched fashion sense. And your taste in music."
Elizabeth smiled as Henry began to lift her shirt and she raised her arms obediently. Standing braless in only her sleep pants she inhaled a deep breath, suddenly feeling self-conscious as Henry resumed his position behind her. He watched her scrutinize herself again and he knew exactly what she was thinking. He was determined to put a stop to all the doubts in her head. "Let's start with your shoulders." Henry said quietly, massaging them before pressing a few gentle kisses to each. "You carry so much weight on these slight shoulders, from your job and from your past. While your shoulders may be slight they are strong, and you never let these weights hold you back. You are one of the strongest people I know Elizabeth. You've overcome so many obstacles in your life. After losing your parents you helped take care of your brother and worked hard in school to make something of yourself. You rise above challenges with strength and dignity. You've set an amazing example for our children on what defines a strong woman. Your strength is one of the things I admire about you most."
Elizabeth smiled softly at her husband in the mirror, but remained silent to hear what he would say next. "And I think your freckles, that you hate, are adorable."
Taking a step around, he pulled Elizabeth to face him again as he knelt before her, choosing to focus on a couple areas he knew she was self-conscious about. She didn't often voice those concerns, but Henry knew they existed.
Henry fingered her flat, toned abs and a few barley existent, long faded, stretch marks that graced the side of her hip. "I loved watching our babies grow here." He said kissing those spots. "These tiny scars are reminders of your sacrifices for our family. Especially this one." He kissed the very small scar below her belly button from her emergency c-section with Jason. "It gave us quite a scare, but you both ended up just fine."
Henry lingered at her hips, fingering the waistband of her pajama bottoms, before pushing them off her hips and letting them pool at her feet.
She stepped out of them, leaving her nude, outside of her lacy panties. He ran his hands down her hips and down her toned, legs before standing to face her, pulling her body flush against his. "And your legs. I did read the tweets and I can't disagree that your legs are incredibly sexy. But what's not in the magazine is this, which is strictly for your ears." He clutched her hips, and whispered in her ear. "I feel so lucky that I'm the only one who knows, who will ever know what these sexy legs feel like wrapped around my hips, what your muscles feel like. I'm also the only one who can turn these legs into jello."
"Henry," she breathed, clutching him for support, feeling her legs go weak at his comment.
He turned her to face the mirror once again, holding her from behind. His hand worked his way up to cover her heart. "Finally, your heart." He whispered, feeling it beat beneath his palm. "You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. Your passion to help others, and your genuine care and compassion for all humans on this planet is what drives you. You don't do it for the politics or the recognition, or whatever other reason. You do it because you truly care, and want to make the world better for our children – for everyone's children. I am so honored you have given me your heart. And you have all of mine."
"My heart beats for you…because of you." She whispered.
"You are beautiful, Elizabeth. Inside and out. No one knows that better than me. No one is prouder of you than me, babe. " He finally fingered her scar from Iran, making her jump slightly. "You have been fighting for peace in the middle east since your CIA days, and no one has made more progress than you, or given more than you for it. Even if the internet only looks at your photos and doesn't read the article – those who truly know you, those of substance will focus on and appreciate your policy work. Since the day I met you, you've been the whole package. Brains and beauty. You deserve this peace prize more than anyone, Elizabeth. I honestly hope you get it."
Finally, his grip on her was loose enough for her to turn to him, tears in her eyes. "Thank you." She whispered, meeting his lips for a tender kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too." Henry whispered. "Do you feel better now?" he asked, holding her close as she snuggled into his arms and nodded.
A few moments later, Henry helped Elizabeth re-dress in her pjs, and led her to bed. "Come on babe, let's go to bed. You deserve some rest after the week you've had."
Elizabeth willingly fell into bed with him and snuggled in his arms. "Thank you again for tonight, Henry. You always know just what to say." She said quietly.
Henry smiled with pride and brushed her lips gently with his.
"You know what really sucks?" she asked when their lips broke.
"What?"
"The nobel rumor is just that, a rumor. Nominees are not notified and they only release the nominees' names 50 years later. So if I'm nominated and don't win, I'll never even know in my lifetime."
"You could live to be 95, don't say you might not ever know." Henry tickled her ribs.
"Very funny." Elizabeth giggled.
"I meant what I said, Elizabeth. No one deserves this more than you. And I really hope you get it. But even if you don't, it doesn't take away the significance of what you have accomplished. I couldn't be prouder of you Madam Sexytary" Henry re-assured her, winking at the last part. No matter what the internet said, he had started calling her Madam Sexytary well before today, and he wouldn't let them take away their little nickname.
When Elizabeth released a genuine smile at his remark, he knew the internet had not spoiled their nickname entirely and that he had restored her confidence that the internet had temporarily taken from her.