Elizabeth woke with a start... The room was dark and Stevie was sleeping soundly next to her. She had no idea what time it was or how long she'd been asleep... all she did know was that she couldn't feel her arm. She managed to manoeuvre said arm out from underneath Stevie without waking her and was so impressed with her efforts, she was sure if her job as an Analyst ever fell through, she could certainly be a contortionist. She discarded the dress she'd been wearing all day and threw on her sweats...She checked on Ali who was fast asleep, bum in the air, which looked terribly uncomfortable but who was she to question it, and padded through to the kitchen. She glanced at the clock and was surprised that it was 3am already... That will teach me for closing my eyes for a split second, She thought. She toyed with the idea of making herself a coffee, but then decided to try and get some more sleep instead, and coffee surely wouldn't help her achieve that. She was feeling somewhat torn between just climbing into her bed, which she hadn't actually slept in up to this point, or cuddling up with Henry and risk Stevie catching them.
She chuckled to herself... You're worried about a 5 year old catching you sleeping in the same bed as your boyfriend, completely innocently... When did you become a teenager again?
Her thoughts then turned to the decisions they'd made some hours before... Was she really prepared to uproot herself and Alison, the stability she had created for them... all over an infatuation with a guy... Why were her decision making skills failing her now... What was it about Henry that rendered her completely and totally befuddled. Yet she felt a calmness that had been lacking in her life for many years... She should be freaking out about this, yet she was serene and optimistic... She realised that sleep probably wasn't going to be all that forthcoming at this point so made the coffee anyway, grabbed a blanket and sat on the porch steps.
She'd always liked the outdoors and the cold air, although making her shiver, felt refreshing against her face.
Her brain was ticking over again... And what about Tara... Whether she liked it or not, this woman was part of the picture and maybe a memory was harder to comprehend than an ex who was physically still there. She had spent many years since her parents death speaking aloud to them when she needed guidance... she wasn't sure if she'd ever gained the answers she'd needed... But sometimes saying things out loud could be cathartic. So... maybe she should do the same here... maybe speaking out loud to this woman could help her organise her thoughts... either that or she'd be completely insane and at least she could laugh at herself. She took a large mouthful of coffee, let out a deep sigh and...
"Well... this is a little awkward, isn't it Tara... Here I am, talking to you when we've never met... about a man that we both love... and a little girl that's struggling... I hope you knew while you were still alive just how much they loved you, because it would be so sad if you didn't... I feel guilty for taking your family and creating a new one... And is it disrespectful for me to move into your home?... I really think I'm a good person Tara and would never want to intentionally dishonour you... so how do I make everyone happy?"
What in God's name are you doing Elizabeth...it's official... you've lost your damn mind
She smirked and shook her head. Sometimes being and adult really sucked.
She got up off the step and headed for Henry's room... Her brain hurt from all the thinking and all she really wanted was to hold him and feel safe. She climbed in next to him, fully clothed, immediately feeling the warmth that he was emitting. She looked at him, and just knew that whatever the future had in store, she wanted to be with him... everything else would just have to work itself out. She gently laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him, the rise and fall of his breathing soothing her to sleep.
"Lizzie... Lizzie...Wake Up."... Stevie was jumping up and down on the bed, shaking Elizabeth by the shoulder
"What the... what's going On?" She blearily opened her eyes and tried to focus
"Did you have a bad dream?" Stevie asked, still shaking her
Henry was now awake and rather confused, not only by his daughter bouncing up and down on the bed, but also the fact that Elizabeth was laying next to him.
"How long have you been here?" He asked, pushing himself up on his elbows
"Wait... hold up... Too many questions and too much noise before coffee... I need coffee." Elizabeth said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes
"So... did you have a bad dream?" Stevie asked again
"Why do you think that sweetie?" Elizabeth asked, her voice still laced with sleep
"Because when I have bad dreams, daddy lets me sleep with him... so were you scared?"
Elizabeth smiled at the beautiful innocence of this child
"Yes baby... I had a bad dream and daddy gave me a cuddle to make me feel better... is that ok?" She actually thought it was a good explanation
"Yes... daddy gives good cuddles... so do I."
"Yes you do sweetheart... can I have one now?"
She flung her arms around Elizabeth's neck and squeezed
"You can share my bed if you have bad dreams again... I don't mind."
"Stevie... I love you, do you know that'?" She said, kissing her cheek
"Yep... I know... can we have breakfast now?" And she jumped down, running off to the kitchen
Henry looked at Elizabeth and smiled
"What are you smiling at?" She asked, smiling herself
"So many things." He replied, placing the softest of kisses on her lips
"Henry..." She whispered
He looked at her, waiting for her to say something he knew would melt his heart
"Yes baby?"
"I need coffee..." She grinned and raised her eyebrows
They had a lazy morning... Lounging around the cabin... Stevie was amazing at playing with Ali and had her toddling around after her, which gave Elizabeth a little break. She was leaning against the doorframe, half looking out at the stunning view, and half watching the girls playing together.
Henry leaned against the other side and gently kicked her foot with his
"What are you thinking about baby?"
"Nothing... everything... Would it be ok if we head back shortly?"
"You want to leave today?... is everything ok?" Henry asked, a tad concerned
"Yeah... if that's ok with you?"
She could see the concern on Henry's face and found it so endearing
"There's nothing wrong babe... I just thought if we go back today... we can spend tomorrow moving our stuff in?... That's if it's still ok?" She couldn't stop the smile that was spreading across her face
"I was so sure you were going to change your mind... YES... let's go home." He pulled her closed and hugged her tightly
"I love you so much." He grinned
"I like you ok too."
They got back to the house by late afternoon and as they walked in, both Henry and Elizabeth felt different somehow... as if something had miraculously changed since the last time they'd been there together, everything felt lighter somehow. Henry started on dinner while Elizabeth bathed the girls. He could hear the laughter from the bathroom and it made his smile grow even larger... He stood at the foot of the stairs listening to them and chuckling at the banter
"Stevie... put the water gun down... I'm soaked."
"That's because I'm better than you."
"Oh really... we'll see about that young lady."
He wanted to go and see for himself what they were doing, but at the same time wanted to leave it just for them
When they all came down, they sat around the kitchen table and ate dinner
"I could get used to food like this... Just don't expect me to be cooking anything." Elizabeth smiled
"I won't... I'd like to stay in good health." He laughed, nudging her arm
"Are you and Ali sleeping here tonight?" Stevie asked through a mouthful of lasagne
"Stevie... don't speak with your mouth full." Henry reminded her
"Sorry…" Came the mumble reply as she did it again
"I was thinking that me and Ali could stay here every night... how would you feel about that?" Elizabeth responded
"Really... like all the time?"
"yeah... we could bring our stuff here and then we wouldn't have to go anywhere."
"That would be awesome... You can share my room with me." She was clearly very excited by the idea
"Actually... I was thinking that Elizabeth could share my room... with me." Henry chipped in
"Why would she do that daddy... you're a boy... she won't like that."
Elizabeth was grinning
"I think maybe Ali would like to share with you?... Which means there wouldn't be enough room for me too... Would it be ok if I shared with daddy?"
"I guess so... But what happens when I have bad dreams?"
"You'll have both of us to give you cuddles."
"Ok... Can we go and get your stuff now?"
"Not tonight... It's movie night." Henry replied "And you know what that means?"
"POPCORN" Stevie shouted
Stevie took advantage of her daddy's good mood and managed to get 2 whole movies and a bowl of ice-cream in before she was finally told it was bedtime. Elizabeth was already settling Ali upstairs when Stevie came bounding through the door, book in hand and the remnants of toothpaste on her lip
"what are we reading tonight then?" She asked
"Goodnight Moon." Came the reply
"OK... let me see..."
'Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs
Goodnight kittens
And goodnight mittens
Goodnight clocks
And goodnight socks
Goodnight little house
And goodnight mouse'
Elizabeth finished the story and was surprised that Stevie was already falling asleep
"Goodnight beautiful." She whispered, kissing her
"Goodnight mommy." She whispered back
Elizabeth looked down at her and couldn't help the tears forming in her eyes. She turned and saw Henry standing in the doorway smiling. They left the room and quietly closed the door
"You ok there mommy?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her
"Oh my god Henry... I think my heart just melted completely... But I'm not sure if that's ok or not?"
"Stop overthinking baby... just be happy." He took her by the hand and led her to their bedroom
"Do you know what I really want to do right now?" She smiled
"I know what I want to do." He replied with a mischievous grin
"I want to curl up in your arms and sleep... I'm so tired."
"That's exactly what I was thinking."
They climbed into bed and cuddled up
"Goodnight Henry."
"Goodnight baby... Oh and Elizabeth... Welcome home."