CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – 1990

Henry had been busy all afternoon. His desk was buried under a pile of term papers and miscellaneous assignments. The afternoon had dragged on, with no end to his work in the foreseeable future. A dull ache behind his eyes had slowly spread around his head, causing a terribly annoying pain to radiate.

He finished grading the paper in front of him, quickly stashing the pile on the spare chair across the desk before grabbing a journal from the top drawer. His head had been buzzing for hours; he simply had to organize the thoughts within his mind.

Today has been unbelievable.

For thoughts that wouldn't verbalize, he was able to begin writing quickly, his pen moving furiously over the page as he emptied the confines.

The backlash of my breakup with Madeline has been following me around for quite some time, making me throw myself into my studies and my teaching. I simply do not need the juvenile antics she brought to our relationship; I have never been one to 'play games,' and it became painfully obvious that our views of the relationship were starkly different.

Everything changed when I saw her, though.

I don't even know her name; I just know that she is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon. Her smile lights up the cafeteria during the lunchtime rush. Her eyes are so innocent, so pure. Her golden hair, though pulled back, still made me want to run my fingers through the soft waves. Her toned figure, was hidden behind a University of Virginia tee shirt and a pair of running shorts, but it was obvious she is active. Running maybe? Her defined thighs and tight calves allude to such.

I've never been one to believe in "love at first sight," but I've never laid eyes on a woman as beautiful as this mysterious dame. My mind has been spinning all afternoon. With just one look she managed to turn my world upside down. She hasn't left my thoughts since she caught my eye in the cafeteria. I'm, honestly, quite surprised I didn't drop my full glass when she crossed my path and sent me a polite smile.

I have to meet her. I need to know her.

I have had strong gut feelings about only a few things in my life. I knew UVA was the college for me. I knew the Marine Corps was going to allow me to make a difference; and she is giving me the most glorious gut feeling. I swear, I am going to marry her.

He shook his head, smiling foolishly as his hand shook, whether from excitement or strain he wasn't quite sure. There was no way of knowing if she was single, or even if she was seeing anyone steadily, but the butterflies in his stomach told him he had to go for it.

GEORGETOWN, MD – 2014

Elizabeth rushed down the stairs and slid on her pumps when she reached the landing. Hastily, she rushed to pour herself a cup of coffee in her travel mug, spilling it on the counter as she did so.

"Damnit!" She huffed in annoyance, as she pulled a string of paper towels off the roll.

Henry emerged from the office, buttoning his shirt sleeves, concern covering his face. She shot him a glance out of the corner of her eye, panic permeating the corners of her face. He quickly rushed to grab the paper towels from her hand, nudging her toward the door. "I've got this. Go, babe."

Her eyes silently thanked him as she placed a hurried kiss to the corner of his lips. "I'll see you later." She grabbed her coat, shuffling toward the door. "I love you!" she shouted before slamming the door closed behind her.

A small frown creased his lips as he retreated back into his mind. He missed her. He missed his wife. Of course he was able to see her regularly, but he could never be certain if she was coming home on a nightly basis. He could never be sure how many nights they would be allowed to fall asleep in one another's arms. He was proud of her; God, he was so proud, but it didn't dull the ache in his heart any less.

They both knew the job would bring hectic hours and circumstances beyond their control, but they needed a break. She had been running non-stop for the past three months, and he was bound to lose his mind if she didn't slow down to take a breath. He knew she would never admit it, but she would surely burn out without a pause.

He finished wiping the counter down with a wet cloth before tossing it in the sink and grabbing his briefcase from the office. He sent her a quick text, proposing a weekend alone, before he shoved the phone in his pocket and headed out the door.

Xxx

Elizabeth was able to sneak a glance at her phone between meetings, smiling when she saw Henry's proposition. A weekend alone sounded lovely, and wonderfully necessary. Even peeking at her calendar made her wonder when she would have time to eat in the next few weeks. With meetings, summits, and late nights reviewing new policies, a getaway with her husband seemed nothing more than a fantasy.

She poked her head through the door, calling Blake's attention. "Is there any way to move my five o'clock meeting up? I promise, I'll manage to shove something down my throat before then." He smiled, examining the schedule in front of him.

"I can figure it out."

She let out a relieved sigh, feeling a pressure lift from her shoulders. "Thanks Blake. I owe you…" she paused before speaking again. "Henry owes you." She quickly retreated to her office and prepared for a meeting with the Canadian Ambassador.

Henry's ears perked when he heard the creak and slam of the front door. "Jas?" He knew Allison and Stevie had plans for the evening, Jason was the only unaccounted for. As he heard the footsteps pad across the hardwood floor his phone vibrated with a text from his son.

Hey dad, I'll be at Cody's house tonight.

As if on cue he felt his wife's soft hands run over his shoulders and slide lazily around his neck before her gentle lips pressed against his temple, moving to his lips when he turned his head. "Hey." She whispered, leaning over the edge of the couch.

"Hey." He replied, eyes shimmering with excitement. "How were you able to get away from the office so early?"

She walked around, flopping on to the couch and melting into his side. "I had Blake pull some strings."

He wrapped an arm around her, folding her deeper into his embrace. "You really don't pay him enough." They shared a small laugh before easing into a comfortable silence.

"I'm glad you're home," he hummed against her hair as she sunk into him, humming comfortably. "I've missed you." He placed a tender kiss on her temple.

She ran a hand slowly over his chest, resting on his pec before speaking. "I've missed you too." She placed an equally soft kiss on his lips, her own lingering in contact. She placed her forehead heavily against his, her eyes remaining closed. "I've missed you so much."

She reveled in the silence that had overtaken their unbridled cries, leaving shallow breaths and racing heartbeats the only audible occupants. Her eyes felt leaden in the most familiar, glorious way, a way in which she and Henry would always cherish.

"I'm sorry the past few months have been so hectic. I promised I wouldn't let this job come between us."

He sat up, bring her with him. "What are you talking about?" His voice remained gentle. "Right now, with you in my arms, is nothing short of the perfect evening."

She ran a warm hand over his chiseled stomach. "But I had to force time for this…" her voice was soft, wracked with guilt and disappointment.

He ran a hand through her mussed hair. "But if we didn't force time wouldn't work be the only things on our schedules." She lazily shrugged her shoulders, obviously not appeased by his suggestion. He frowned, it didn't matter how hectic the job got, as long as they were allowed a chance to catch their breath, they could make it through anything.

"I think I have something you might like." He untangled himself from her embrace, eliciting a dissatisfied groan. "I'll be right back." He promised. She pouted, watching his every move as he retrieved an old journal from the desk and hurried back to bed, sliding under the covers next to her.

"Your journal?" She asked, fingers brushing the worn leather lightly. He opened the journal, flipping to a page that had been marked. A worn envelope slid to his lap and he gently lifted the torn flap and pulled an equally worn paper from its confines and handed it to Elizabeth.

She caught a glimpse of the first words, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "What is this?" she asked cautiously, flipping to see the end of the passage.

"A journal entry…Just read it." She moved under his arm and layed heavily against his bare chest as she read each word intently.

He watched as a blush crept up her cheeks and a smile spread across her lips. "Henry…" She placed a hand over her heart, torn between the passage and his lips.

"Keep reading." He urged.

A small gasp passed her lips as she read the final line. She placed three fingers over her mouth, a tear sliding down her cheek. "You didn't even know my name, but you knew you were going to marry me?"

He kissed the trail of tears before landing on her lips. "I knew you were the one." She clutched the letter to her chest moving a leg to rest between his, laying on his lap, while she pushed herself up off the bed. She wrapped both arms around his neck, still clutching the torn paper tightly. "I love you, Henry." She whispered before connecting their lips in a passionate kiss.

"I love you too," he replied quietly. "I always have, and I always will." She moved the journal from his lap, placing both it and the note on his nightstand before settling fully atop his waist and intertwining her fingers in his thick hair as she relayed the precious gratitude for him she would always feel.

A/N: Well, I've been beating myself up for not writing as much as I should be. It seems it may have paid off, though. I've had the first 300ish words of this written for a few weeks now and I tonight I was finally able to finish it. Your reviews are my lifeblood. Let me know what you think! (: I may have some ideas to continue this, but don't hold me to that.