Things had gotten better, but somethings had also gotten worse. There was always ups and downs in any relationship and one that had two individuals involved with jobs that prevented them from talking to each other only magnified the bumps along the way. It had been a few weeks since the whole Russia disaster, and Dimitris death. Elizabeth was trying hard, and was letting Henry have the space he needed. While he was glad she was uninjured in Switzerland, he was still quite upset about the events that had taken place. This had only driven the wedge between them deeper, in fact this may have been as deep a wedge they had ever had. Not even when she was suggesting to go to Bagdad was their wedge this bad. The fact that Elizabeth had thrown around lawyers and counselors scared Henry, this is not what he wanted, but he needed his space, and he knew she knew that and was willing to give him all the space to deal with it all.

The kids noticed things being better and this excited them beyond words. Their parents were their world, and the love they had was just not normal anymore. Then the noticed how they had been acting cold to each other again, deciding to give them some space before interfering again.

Looking out the window of their townhouse, Elizabeth was quite surprised that the weathermen were actually correct with the forecast of a blizzard. This meant the government was shut down and she would have a full uninterrupted day at home with her lovely family. The kids would probably be annoyed that they were stuck at home with their parents, but theres not much they could do when the governor calls a state of emergency. It was still pretty early, so she crawled back under the covers and snuggled up against Henry, snaking her arms around him trying to get warm. Laying her head on his shoulder she felt him move, encircling his arms around her, trying to give her the warmth she desired at the moment.

"Morning babe, you're chilly, did you have a phone call to take or something?" He asked, his eyes still closed, but moving his body closer to hers.

"Yeah, Conrad called informing me today would be a day off. We have about 18 inches of snow outside, and its to continue snowing all day." she had informed him closing her eyes, trying to will herself back to sleep.

"Oh good, so we can stay in bed all day to keep warm!" Henry said with a little chuckle, knowing she would never go for this.

"Hardly! We do still have things to take care of, the sidewalks, stairs, KIDS" she met his eyes at this remark.

Henry looked down at her noticing the coy smile dancing across her lips. "Well, before we go take care of all of that, how about I take care of you?" he said, bending down to kiss her. It really had been months since they were able to enjoy a day to sleep in, so why not take advantage of it.

"I think I could be convinced" she teased back, pushing her hips against him.

Walking into the kitchen they both noticed the kids were preparing breakfast. What better than a family breakfast together to start the day of being snowed in.

"It smells wonderful in here guys!" Elizabeth gushed to her kids. She was so glad they were able to cook, seeing as how she was hopeless in the kitchen. Walking over to Aly as she stood at the stove flipping eggs, she put an arm around her shoulder and kissed the side of her head. She moved to Stevie next, who was getting the coffee ready, pulling her in for a hug and a forehead kiss as well. Jason was busy getting more bacon out of the fridge she quickly bear hugged him from behind kissing the back of his head. He always made a big deal of his moms hugs and kisses, but lately he was glad for them.

As Elizabeth was fluttering around the kitchen to each of the kids, Henry stood in the doorway taking it all in. How was he so lucky to have an amazing wife and three of the most wonderful children anyone could ask for? He stood there smiling, catching Elizabeths eyes with a knowing smile, indeed they were incredibly blessed.

Sitting down to the table they were all chatting about the blizzard happening outside. It had been quite awhile ago that they had this much snow. Henry and Elizabeth had decided that morning they were going to reassure their kids that everything was fine between them, to thank them for the concern they had and bringing it to their attention.

"Hey guys, mom and I have something we want to talk to you about" Henry started, looking around the table at each of the kids, and at last resting on Elizabeths eyes. She gave him a slight nod and a smile letting him know he should continue. "We are so very proud of each and every one of you, you really are amazing kids and we couldn't ask for anything more. We also want to thank you for opening our eyes, we know its been a difficult few months, but things are behind us and we just want to move forward to getting back to where we were." He paused thinking of what to say next.

"Dad and I are going to be fine" Elizabeth chimed in. "We know it has been painful to watch us be distant, and we thank you for coming to us with your concerns, it really shows us how much you value our relationship and our family. You know dad and I love each other more than anything, and nothing is going to change that. There are always periods of turbulence in relationships, but the strong ones come through it even stronger than before it took place." she said, looking around to each of the kids. "We are sorry for making you question our love for each other, but it is part of life and love, something you will all learn one day, with all of this being said, if any of you ever have concerns don't be afraid to bring them to us, its not worth getting yourselves stressed out over" she said pausing and looking directly at Aly knowing she's the one who worries the most about stuff.

Aly gave her mother a soft, shy smile and nodding her head in agreement. Standing up she went over and hugged her mother, "Thank you mom, it really means a lot when you and dad are open with us about important issues like this." Walking over to Henry she bent down to give him a hug also, silently thanking him as well.

Jason and Stevie agreed with what Aly had just said and they both stood up to give their parents hugs as well. "Team McCord forever!" Jason said as he left his mothers embrace.

Snuggling on the couch later that night, with the fire dancing in the fireplace, Henry took Elizabeths hand in his, his fingers running over her wedding and engagement rings. "Baby, I know its been tough, but these rings always bring us back to where we should be. There are times when I get into situations that I will play with my ring, almost like I'm channeling you wondering what you would do."

She looked up at him, his face was soft and somber, "I do the same thing too, when it seems like there are no other options, or good outcomes to whatever situation I may be dealing with, I spin my rings too. To be honest, I've been doing it so much lately that I'm surprised I haven't worn a track in my finger." She said, giving him a reassuring but soft yet sad smile. "Always remember, where you end I begin. We are like the rings on our fingers, never ending and unbreakable. I am nothing without you Henry McCord, you are my everything."

Oh how he loved this woman sitting beside him on the couch, everything she just said was the truth. Where one of them ended, the other began. "Elizabeth, you make me so incredibly happy. I love you more now than ever, I know these rings are only symbols but we truly are like a circle. I may question my decisions and ethics at times, but you, you are truly the only part of me that is unbroken, your love and understanding is always unending. I will make these past months up to you, I promise, one way or another I will make it up to you. You are my everything as well."

With that they snuggled closer together, kissing each other reassuringly while the fire continued to dance shadows across their faces. The kids had been watching from the top of the stairs, though it grossed them out most of the time, they all felt a calm settle over them as they witnessed their parents once again declaring their love to each other. Knowing that they would forever and always be "Team McCord"

"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."~~Bruce Lee