"We're here," Elizabeth and Nadine walked into the house from the garage that had an entrance in the alley behind the house. The front was swarming with press and paparazzi not to mention that entrance involved steps.
"Hi." Henry descended the three steps to the landing and hugged his wife. "Hey Nadine," he offered her his hand. "How are you feeling?"
"A little tired," she shook his hand. "They don't let you get too much sleep in the hospital."
"Well, then I suppose we should get you upstairs and settled in," he looked at his wife.
"Yes we should," she hugged Henry again and put her hand in the high, left center of his back. "Here and her left shoulder," she whispered in his ear before trotting up the three steps into the kitchen where she found her children silently waiting.
"I appreciate this," Nadine took one step toward the stairs before Henry stepped in front of her.
"I apologize in advance," he smiled sheepishly and then swept her up into his arms, being careful to avoid the areas his wife had told him about.
"My God," Nadine shrieked, as she grabbed his shoulder to steady herself.
"Like I said," he carried her up the stairs and sat her back on her feet in the kitchen where the family was waiting. "Sorry."
"Ms. Tolliver," Stevie barely gave her a chance to regain her composure before she was standing next to her. "I really just want to thank you so much for what you did."
"That's really not necessary," Nadine's face was bright red and neither Henry or Bess was sure whether it was anger or embarrassment.
"It really is," Allison chimed in and offered her hand to Nadine as she joined her sister by the older woman's side. "You are seriously like our hero."
"Yeah," Jason waved, feeling like he might overwhelm Nadine if he flocked with his sisters.
"If there is anything that I can do for you while you're here, just let me know," Stevie smiled and stepped to the side.
"I really appreciate this," Nadine shifted on her feet. "Thank you all for being so kind and letting me stay with you."
"It's really our pleasure," Henry chimed in from behind her.
"The guest room is all set up for you. We have fresh sheets and towels. Blake sent me something for you to wear that is a little less public persona," Elizabeth was talking with her hands as much as her mouth as she shook an overnight bag she had carried in with her purse and her briefcase. "Henry set up the TV and once you are settled in, one of us will go get your things for you."
"Thank you," Nadine nodded and looked at Henry. "I presume that I will get the same treatment at the next staircase whether I protest or not?"
"Afraid so," Henry's own cheeks flushed a bit. "I just hope you don't hate me too much when you are allowed to walk the stairs again on your own."
"Oh," she sighed and followed after the Secretary toward the staircase in the sitting room which was much wider and accommodating for caring someone up it. "I am certain that such physical labor was not your idea," she eyed the Secretary suspiciously.
Henry carried Nadine up the stairs and gently set her on her feet at the top. Nadine followed Elizabeth the few more steps to the closed guest room door. Elizabeth opened it and walked inside ahead of Nadine and turned on the overhead light. The room was nicely decorated in neutral colors like beige and cream. The furniture was sparse but neatly arranged and there was a fresh bouquet of flowers on the dresser next to the television set. Clearly Henry and the kids had gone to a lot of trouble getting things ready for Nadine and that thought gave Nadine a warm feeling that reminded her of the holidays when her son was small and she had gone to the same lengths for her own guests. There was an on-suite bathroom also which meant that Nadine could have her privacy and not feel quite so much like an impostor in this house.
"I hope this is ok," Elizabeth smiled.
"It's perfect," Nadine answered quickly.
"I know that you like to read," Henry commented. "I didn't see any books on your list of things you wanted from your apartment so if that's something that you need to add or if you want to peruse our VAST collection of books," he glanced at Elizabeth. "just let us know."
"I hadn't even thought of that," Nadine confessed. "Thanks."
"Of course," Henry smiled and took his leave, closing the door behind him.
"You really didn't need to go to all this trouble," Nadine reiterated.
"It's no trouble," Bess shook her head. She dropped the small overnight bag she had been carrying on the bed. "Like I said, comfortable clothes from Blake. Would you like a hand changing?"
Nadine winced. "I uh…"
"Nadine," her voice was calm and filled with compassion. "I knew what I was signing up for. So did the family. We are just here to help you and we have all had our stuff."
"It's pretty bad," she shook her head. "I can't even change my own shirt."
"I couldn't either when I came home from Iran. Henry had to help me a lot."
"I didn't know that," Nadine's eyes widened.
"Every time I lifted my arms, it pulled my stitches and the pain was unbearable for like a week," Bess nodded.
Nadine thought back to when Elizabeth had been in Iran and was shot in the back. "Alright," she nodded.
"Ok,' Bess smiled and opened the bag. "Blake said he bought this a little bigger so that it wouldn't be so form fitting," she told Nadine as she pulled a set of royal purple silk pajamas from the bag and a pair of matching velvet slippers.
"My word," Nadine's eyes widened. "Purple silk pajamas. Where in the world did the boy find such a thing?"
"I have no idea," Bess seemed as surprised as Nadine. "But, if you don't like them, it's only temporary."
"That's the thing," Nadine chuckled. "I think I should get Blake to shop for me more often.
The pajamas were as well chosen as the outfit for leaving the hospital had been. The shirt buttoned up the front, and it had a collar with three-quarter length sleeves. And even though they were not tight on her, they still managed to show off Nadine's slim frame and smooth curves. She was struck by the realization that she had never told Blake, or anyone else at work for that matter, her size and he had never asked. Maybe he was a tailor in a past life. Elizabeth was gentler with Nadine than the nurse had been and she took every precaution to ensure that Nadine was exposed for as short a time as possible all while working at odd angles that obstructed her own view of Nadine's body. Once Nadine was changed, Elizabeth took the other clothes and deposited them in a basket in the closet. She turned down the covers and stacked the pillows.
"I will get Jason and Henry to bring you up one of the arm chairs from the sitting room and an ataman so that you can change it up when you feel like it," Elizabeth smiled.
"You don't have to do that," Nadine shook her head.
"Well," she smiled. "I'll have them do it anyway."
"Thanks," Nadine sighed.
"In the meantime," I had Blake add all my family's numbers to your phone including the landline. That is probably your safest bet if you need anything. Can I get you anything right now?" She plugged Nadine's cellphone into a charger and sat it on the nightstand.
"Actually," Nadine settled herself into the bed and pulled the sheet overtop of her legs. "I think it is about time I took one of those pills they gave me for the pain. They sent me with a three-day supply and a prescription called in to my local pharmacy near my apartment. If someone could pick that up for me, I would really appreciate it."
"Of course," she smiled. "Your pain pills are here," she pulled a small bottle from the bag. I will go get you some water. Are you hungry?"
"Not really," Nadine shook her head.
"Right, I'll be right back," Bess stowed the now empty bag in the closet and hurried out of the room. A few minutes later she was back with a bottle of water. "Here you go," she held it out for Nadine.
"Thank you," Nadine took the bottle, opened it and took a long sip. Then she carefully took the pill bottle with her medication and worked the cap loose. She dumped one of the oblong green and purple pills into her hand and replaced the lid.
Elizabeth watched Nadine negotiate the pill bottle and the bottle of water with a sort of intrigue. She didn't wince in pain at the task and she did not ask for any help even though it was clearly a tedious and difficult thing for her to accomplish. "Henry and Jason are on their way up with that chair," she said. "But can I get you anything else for now?"
Nadine shook her head. "No. I think I am just going to rest for a little while. Like I said, I didn't get much sleep at the hospital." She paused for a moment and then looked up at her boss. "Ma'am, I," she paused again. "I really don't know how comfortable I am with all of this."
"Nadine," Elizabeth sat down at the foot of the bed. "You have stayed in the same hotel room with me. You have stayed in the room right next to mine. Just think of it that way. Like I said, this is the least that we can do for you."
"But that was work. This isn't, this is personal. I am not sure that I should stay."
"I am," Elizabeth eyed her admonishingly. "It wasn't professional when you got yourself stabbed either." There was a light tap on the open door. "Come on in Jace," Elizabeth waved her son in with the ataman. Henry filed in behind with the chair. "Thanks Babe," she smiled at her husband.
"Of course," he grinned, chair in hand. "I'm sorry we didn't think of it last night. By the window Nadine or would you prefer it somewhere else?"
"That sounds lovely," Nadine smiled. "Thank you both."
"Go ahead dad," Jason moved out of his father's way so that he could place the chair.
Henry set the chair by the window and then turned to take the ataman from his son. "Thanks buddy."
"Sure thing," Jason smiled, and gave a short wave to his mother and the woman lying in the bed. "Let me know if you need anything," he nodded and walked out.
Henry adjusted the chair and the ataman to straighten them out and make sure they were not too close to the bed. "Nadine, I know you said you were tired. While you rest, I am going to head to your place with Stevie and pick up your things. Can I bring you back anything else?"
"She has a prescription that needs picked up," Bess interjected.
"I, uh," Nadine looked down at her hands. "I don't think so. Thank you Dr. McCord."
"Nadine," Henry crossed to the other side of the bed and stood next to his wife. "I told you a long time ago to call me Henry."
"Henry," she looked up at him and he could see the tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes. "Thank you."
"I'll leave you both be," his voice softened even more than normal as he squeezed his wife's shoulder gently and slipped out pulling the door nearly shut behind him.
"Nadine," Bess scooted closer to her chief of staff.
"I'm sorry," she wiped at her eyes as the first tears slid silently down her cheeks. "This is all just," she shook her head. "a little overwhelming, I suppose. It's just, I am usually the one doing the helping not the one who needs the help."
Elizabeth moved again and wrapped Nadine in a gentle hug, pulling her snuggly to her chest. "Oh Nadine," she felt her own tears welling. "I know that. But you have already done so much and been through so much. I didn't want you to go through the rest of this alone."
"I'm sorry," she choked out as her sobbing became more pronounced and she snaked her good arm around the Secretary of State.
"Don't be sorry," Elizabeth moved one hand to Nadine's lower back and the other to her head so she could hold her more firmly without fear of causing her pain. "Don't be sorry Nadine, you have nothing to apologize for."
Nadine felt like she was dissolving into the Secretary's embrace and she held the woman tighter to make sure that she was really there. She couldn't seem to compose herself and she felt as though she were drowning and holding onto a life preserver. She could feel Elizabeth petting her hair and hear her saying that everything was ok, everything was going to be ok. She tried to latch on to those words, to get herself under control but it was no use. Eventually she felt like she had no more tears left to cry and no more energy to cry with anyway. She was just sitting with her head buried in the Secretary's shoulder trying desperately to catch her breath again.
"You ok," Bess pulled her away slightly and tipped Nadine's chin up so she could see her red puffy eyes once her breathing had normalized.
Nadine nodded. "I'll be ok."
"Here," Bess pulled a tissue from the box on the nightstand and put it into Nadine's good hand.
"Thank you," Nadine wiped her eyes and looked at her boss again.
"Get some sleep," Elizabeth stood up from the bed and Nadine compliantly eased herself back against the pillows. "Do you need more pillows, less pillows?"
"No," Nadine answered through a sniff. "This is just right."
"Good," Elizabeth pulled at the blankets and brushed the hair from Nadine's eyes. "I'll check on you in a little while." But as she moved her hand away from Nadine's forehead, she realized that the woman was already asleep.
"She ok," Henry asked when his wife descended the kitchen steps.
"I don't know," Bess sighed and fell against his chest into his open arms. "It's a lot Henry."
"Yeah it is. Do you want us to wait to go to her place?" He was swaying back and forth and rubbing circles on her back with his palm.
"No," She broke the embrace and looked into his eyes. "You two go. I am going to stay here in case she wakes up and needs anything."
"Right," Henry nodded. "Don't you need to go to the office."
She shook her head. "I told the staff to keep me updated so I will have phone calls, but I told them I am not coming in unless it is a serious emergency today. Cushing can deal with the little stuff as far as I'm concerned."
"Hey guys," Stevie announced her presence. It was a habit she developed after being scolded a few times for walking in on classified or otherwise private conversations.
"Hey honey," Bess patted her oldest on the shoulder.
"You ready to go," Henry asked.
"Yep," she smiled. "You have the list, right?"
"I do," Henry smiled. "Thanks for going with me sweetheart."
"No worries," she shrugged. "I get you not wanting to pack up a woman's things for two weeks on your own," she chuckled.
"You guys are the best," Bess smiled as they headed for the door. "You already have the list?"
"Yeah, yeah," Henry playfully scoffed. "Yeah, Blake sent it to me. Said he wanted to be prepared." Henry shot her a smile then blew her a kiss as he closed the garage door behind him.