Summary and title credits go to Retrograde by James Blake
Hey everyone! This is my first multi-chapter fic, so here goes nothing.
Chapter 1- Elizabeth who?
The night before...
Elizabeth walked into her home after yet another long day, and the smell of Chinese takeout greeted her.
"Anybody home?" she called into the seemingly empty house.
"Over here!" the voice of her eldest child called from the couch. Elizabeth kicked off her heels and walked to the living room. She kissed her daughter's forehead.
"Hey, baby. Is Dad home?"
"Dad went up stairs to take a nap. I didn't want to wake him up," Stevie responded.
"Okay. I'm just going to check on him. I'll be back down soon."
"Okay." Elizabeth jogged up the stairs and entered the bedroom. Her husband was wrapped up in the sheets but not asleep.
"How are you?" she asked.
"Fine," Henry replied curtly.
"Right," Elizabeth said, not buying his lie. "Babe, you never answer in one word sentences." She kissed his forehead. "Henry, you're burning up. I think you have a fever."
"Hm," was the only response she got.
"I'm going to check on you after dinner, okay?" He nodded but didn't speak.
"Do you want anything to eat? I brought you a plate." She returned after quickly scarfing down some stir fry, but Henry wasn't in bed. She noticed the bathroom door open with the light on. "Baby?" she called, concerned. She found her beloved husband dry heaving to the toilet. "You need go to the ER."
"No."
"No? What do you mean 'no?' You're going to the hospital." With much effort, Elizabeth managed to help Henry down the stairs. Upon noticing the situation, Stevie bolted off of the couch.
"Oh my God! Dad, are you okay?" she demanded.
"I'm fine. Your mom is just being overly cautious," Henry grumbled.
"Hush, Captain Stoical," Elizabeth said with an air of irritation, but was deep down relieved that he felt well enough to protest. To their daughter, she said, "I'm taking Dad to the hospital. I'll be in touch, but I want you to stay here with Ali and Jase, okay?" Stevie nodded in comprehension but stared at the pained expression on her father's face.
"Madam Secretary?" A nurse was standing next to her with a clipboard. Elizabeth shot up. Not that she had been sleeping much. Mostly she had shut her eyes in an attempt to soothe her wound up nerves. First the dirty bomb, then Pakistan, and now this?
"Yes? Is everything okay? How is he?"
"We ran some tests, and it appears that your husband has an appendicitis. Luckily, we caught it before it ruptured, and he's in surgery now. The good news is that, most likely, he'll make a full recovery. We'll let you know when you can see him," the nurse informed her.
"Thank you."
She was easily the most beautiful thing he could ever see: Her eyes sparkled and her massive grin made his heart flutter. She seemed to radiate love and joy as she strode towards the hospital bed.
"Hello," he said with a silly smile and a burning blush that crept up his cheeks.
"I'm so glad you're alright!" she squealed. She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. He was too surprised to move. This gorgeous woman is practically lying on top of me and kissed my cheek. Am I dreaming? His response, or lack thereof, caused her to pulled back and look into his eyes with concern. "Baby, what's wrong? Am I hurting you?"
"Who are you?" he asked.
Well y'all, you made it! Sorry this first chapter such a mess, but I had to set it up.
Comments and critiques are greatly appreciated. I'm always working to improve my writing, and your review matter!
Last thing, I'm starting school this week so I can't promise regular updates, but I'm shooting for every week or so. Thank you!
