Chapter 7 – Something Just like this

Henry woke early the next morning, after a few moments of laying down and waking up, he decided to go and greet Elizabeth with breakfast.

He was in the kitchen cooking pancakes and making her a coffee. We've kissed, were dating. How did I get so lucky? I don't want to lose her; she is slowly becoming my everything. I want to spend my life with her. She is the most caring, trustworthy, beautiful person. She is just perfection.

Henry carried a tray of breakfast upstairs and paused at the bedroom door before knocking... no response, he slowly pushed the door open and seen Elizabeth wrapped between the sheets. She had put her hair into a bun and had small shorts on with a strappy t-shirt. It was the first time Henry had really seen her; her skin is glowing, it looks so soft. Those legs, her waist, her breasts...

Henry was snapped from his thoughts when Elizabeth moved. He placed the tray on the floor, took a seat on the side of the bed and stroked her hair gently,

'Morning sleepy' He whispered as she began to stir and wake up

'Hey you' She smiled with her eyes half shut

'I've made you breakfast' He smiled and pulled the tray up. Elizabeth's eyes opened and she sat herself up in bed

'Hmm it smells amazing, oh Henry you're so sweet' She lent in to kiss him softly, she placed her hand on the side of his face and looked into his eyes

'Morning' she smiled

'You look beautiful' he blurted out and she blushed

'No I'm serious Elizabeth, you're perfect' he spoke softly

'Henry, I am far from it' she shy'd away and before he could respond she shoved a pancake in her mouth and looked at him

'See' she laughed as did Henry.

'So what did you want to do today?' He asked

'I don't know, I am happy just spending time with you' she admitted

'Well you said about shopping, so why don't we head into town and we can have the day together, just us'

'Just us' She echoed and nodded in agreement.

'Did you want anything in particular?' he asked helping her eat his pancakes

'Oil McCord, they're mine' she mocked

'Excuse me but I cooked them'

'Yes for me!' she shrieked and attempted to pull the pancake from him, they entered into a play fight and he landed on top of her. He started into her eyes. She lent up and planted a kiss on his lips, which quickly turned passionate. Hands roaming over one another's skin.

Elizabeth pulled apart before the moment got too carried away.

'Not like this, we will make it special' she smiled and he nodded in agreement.

'I need a dress' she randomly stated and Henry looked confused

'You asked what I needed from shopping' she explained

'Oh, that, how do women do that, just pick up from a conversations ages ago' he laughed thinking of the times his mum had done that too him.

'Why do you need a dress?' He asked climbing off her and sitting next to her

'For the Christmas party' she looked at him

'Oh'

'And you need a suit to match, because you're my date McCord'. She teased

'Great' He mocked

'Henry' she lifted an eyebrow to him

'Yes?'

'I liked it when you called me Bess' she blushed

'In that case, I would love to the escort you to the Christmas party, Bess' He smiled and kissed her before pulling her into a warm hug.

Later in the day Henry and Elizabeth were walking around the shopping centre and Elizabeth was getting stressed because she couldn't find and outfit.

'Hey, it's ok, you'll find something' Henry tried to reason but Elizabeth just huffed.

'Look let's stop for some food and re-think it over' He reasoned and held out his hand

'Fine, but there has to be ice cream involved' she grabbed his hand and walked towards the food courts.

They were sat eating food and Henry couldn't stop staring at her

'What?' she asked

'Nothing, sorry I didn't meant to stare, I just, I haven't had this connection with anyone in a long time'

'I don't think I have ever had this connection' she smiled and held his hand.

They talked about work colleagues and various generic topics whilst eating food, before heading back to the shops.

'I was supposed to start Christmas shopping today as well' Elizabeth explained

'It's only October'

'Yes, but women don't leave it to the last minute Henry, plus I have to really think about it as I will have gifts to take home' She smiled as they walked in and out of shops hand in hand

'So you're going to England for Christmas?'

'Yeah, I'm staying with my best friend Jessica and her fiancé James'. She continued to explained about Jess and James, how long she'd known then, the wedding etc.

'Are you going home for Christmas?' she asked

'Yeah, I always do' He smiled

'Henry when you were in the marines, did you spend Christmases away?' She was intrigued

'Yeah quite a few, which is why I try to really appreciate them now' He smiled

'Me too when I was in the CIA, I would actually choose to be stationed somewhere like Baghdad or Iraq because otherwise I would be spending Christmas alone' she admitted with a sad tone

Henry turned to her and cupped her face

'You'll never be alone for Christmas as long as you have me' He kissed her

'Thank you Henry, you know I've always wanted something like this' She looked at him gesturing that she was talking about the two of them.

'It's a good job you're always going to have this, I do not intend on leaving you Babe' He wrapped his arms around her and they continued to walk together.

It was later in the evening and Elizabeth was stepping out of the shower when she walked into Henry's bedroom she was shocked to see him sat on the bed.

'Well If I knew you would be here I would have worn something more dignified' she mocked as she was wrapped in a towel with her hair wrapped in one too. When Henry didn't respond Elizabeth stood still and couldn't remove her gaze from his

'Henry' she asked cautiously, no response again. She walked in front of him and knelt before him, she tucked her towel in to keep it in place. It was only when she was up close and personal with him she realised that he had tears in his eyes, Elizabeth's head span,

'Henry baby what's wrong, are you ok, is your mum ok' upon hearing the concern in her voice he looked up

'Yeah, yeah she's fine, urm' he stopped he didn't want to cry, especially not in front of Elizabeth

'Tell me baby' she placed a hand on his knee and he took a deep breath

'She probably won't be here for Christmas' Henry stated. Elizabeth knew this had come from their earlier conversation and she kicked herself for being insensitive.

'Oh darling, but she might, and you have to continue to make this the most special family Christmas you have ever experienced, make sure it's one to remember' she smiled and wiped a stray tear from his eye.

'Yeah I guess it's just the realisation. I can't cope with this hanging on, I just want her to be safe' He stressed and Elizabeth pulled him in for a hug.

'She is safe, she has her family around her' she smiled as she felt Henry relax in her embrace.

After a few moments they pulled apart.

'Sorry' he shuffled

'Don't be, I am glad you came to me, look I didn't mean to talk about Christmas earlier I am sorry if I was insensitive, that wasn't my intention' Elizabeth stated but Henry cut her off

'No, No don't, I don't ever want you to stop being genuine, don't pussyfoot around topics because of my mum, I just want you to be you' He smiled and she nodded in agreement.

'Nice towel' He broke the silence looking at her for the first time since she stepped out of the shower

'Why thank you, it's the latest fashion trend apparently' she mocked standing up and pretending to walk down a cat walk. Henry just laughed at her, he was amazed by her, and she was witty, goofy, and smart. He had forgotten about his sadness in that moment and just enjoyed the laughter between them both.

'Right I best leave you too it, Miss Naomi Campbell' he mocked and walked towards her pulling her close to kiss her goodnight. Elizabeth looked into his eyes and could still see the hurt

'Goodnight babe' He kissed her softly

'Stay with me' she whispered. Henry didn't need to be asked twice; He turned the lights out and climbed into bed with her. This was a milestone for them, they had only officially been dating for a few days, but the flirtatious remarks and sparks have been flying around them for a number of weeks now. Tonight wasn't the night for them to cross into another mile stone; it was simply about being close and being held. Elizabeth snuggled into Henry's chest and wrapped her arm across him. He held her close breathing in her scent before descending into a peaceful sleep with the women he loved in his arms.