So...here I am again, writing away, apologies for how many times I had to post chapter 13, it required some editing...it wasn't my best chapter by any means. please enjoy and review!!

Three months had come and gone since Eliza's illness and it was now early May, and thankfully she had recovered fully! Everything was settling down again at 27A Wimpole street.

Eliza found herself sorting through various documents in Henrys study that he had neglected to deal with. So like him, very unorganised! Eliza pulled open the bottom left hand draw of his desk, notorious for concealing things Henry didn't want to share. An ornate letter caught her eye. It had been opened unlike most of the other contents. The wax stamp was cracked in half, yet Eliza could make out the royal crest. Intrigued, she picked it up and carefully opened the letter. It was written to Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, Eliza frowned and began to read. It was an invitation, not just any invitation but one for the annual Embassy ball! Why hadn't Henry talked to her about this? Surely he would have known she would want to attend! She read the date, this letter was three months old! She did believe a confrontation was in order.

"Henry?" she called up toward the library shelves.

Henry leaned over the wooden banister, "Yes dear?"

Eliza waved the letter innocently toward him.

Henry attempted to look less guilty. "What is it?"

"I think you know rather well what this is dear."

Henry wanted to avoid this conversation very much. "Haven't a clue actually." He lied, he descended the staircase and headed toward his wife, he stood behind her, hands on her shoulders and snaked them down around her stomach, kissing her cheek as he did so.

Eliza knew this act, much like he knew hers, this was very strange behaviour on Henrys account. He was hiding something, and she knew what! She pulled away from his arms and turned to face him, a stern look on her face.

"Explanation, now." She demanded stonily.

"Ahh." Henry looked at the floor.

"Ahh indeed. Why didn't you tell me?" she looked fearsome.

"I, well I...It just, slipped...my mind." He waved his hand in a nondescript way at the letter that Eliza's fist was now beginning to screw up in rage!

"Don't lie to me Henry Higgins! I know damn well that you were hiding it from me, it was in your middle drawer! Tell me why." She demanded.

"Eliza, all this stress really does no good for the baby."

"Don't play that card with me! Explain." She was on tiptoe attempting to reach Henrys height.

Henry knew this act was no good, he sighed and shrugged his shoulders, placing his hands defensively into his pockets.

"I just thought, that you wouldn't want to face the ordeal again." He lied, knowing that Eliza would most certainly want to attend.

"Henry I know this isn't the reason, but last time I went it was an ordeal, but know I can enjoy the occasion properly." She looked pleading.

"For heaven's sake Eliza, you're seven months pregnant! By the time it is the ball you will be eight and expecting at any time!" he scorned, but felt bad for it straight away, it wasn't her fault after all.

"I will have you know, that being pregnant is no ailment!" she prodded him in the chest with an outstretched finger. "I can do what I want!"

"You nearly died!" Henry's voice was rising dramatically.

"That was three months ago, I'm fine! Let me live this life you gave me!" Eliza raised her voice to meet his.

"Stop shouting woman!" Henry boomed.

"HYPOCRITE!!" Eliza was so infuriated.

"I'M TRYING TO PROTECT YOU!" Henry cried out in exasperation.

"Oh, how rich! Ever since the influenza incident you've had me on such a tight rein I can barely breathe, not letting me do anything I want, all too aware that I could drop dead at any minute I suppose! If it hadn't been for the company of Colonel Pickering, I fear I would have actually died of frustration and boredom." She had her hands on her hips and her eyes looked thunderous, Henry felt rather intimidated. "Well, I've had it; I am going, you just try and stop me!" she pronounced defiantly.

Henry sighed, he had only been trying to take care of her, and protect her as best he could.

Eliza saw how hurt he looked, through her anger and near infinite rage she felt compassion for the poor man. She reached out a hand and took his within it. "Let me breathe again, bring me back to life." She pleaded.

Henry had to relent; she was so strong minded at times! However there was one condition, "Fine, but you never leave my side."

Eliza smiled, it was enough. "never." She held a hand across her heart, and even when he was hiding things like this from her, there was nobody else in the world she would rather spend that occasion with.

Henry pulled her gently into his arms, slightly obstructed by her bump, they laughed together. He leant toward her and brushed a stray lock away from her ear, "Thank you."

Eliza smiled and went to kiss his cheek, it was him this time to laugh and press his lips to hers. Once he had pulled away he said lovingly. "You are the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most wonderful and above all, the most infuriating woman, it has ever been my pleasure to come across."

The couple had come so far since they had first met, they had been through more than most would have, and were happy. The most unlikely coupling had brought out the best in them both. Yet Henry couldn't help but feel he was not the only man in Eliza's life, and her next words solidified his thoughts.

"Well, I had better find Hugh, we have a dress to buy." She said gleefully.

Hugh, thought Henry? How had he become Hugh? A little hurt and perhaps slightly jealous Henry replied, "Am I not suitable enough?"

Eliza laughed, "Henry dear, you don't know the shops as he does, you haven't the same eye." She looked apologetic, "And I'm sure you would hate to come shopping with me." Eliza saw he was still unconvinced, "Well, I want you to be surprised when you see me for the first time in my dress."

"I thought we were agreed that you would stay with me." Henry frowned.

Eliza's face fell. "Oh, Henry dear, that's only at the ball surely."

Henry could say no more, she was choosing Pickering over him. He shrugged and turned on his heel toward the door of the study.

Eliza sighed, "Don't behave like such an infant Henry." She said it to his back.

These words struck something within him, he had never in his life had the chance to be an infant, and was most certainly not behaving like one now. He turned to face her, hands in pockets. "How dare you? Me, behave in an infantile manner! Who am I to you Eliza, am I you're husband or have you neglected to remember that?" His voice was cold and harsh. "I have never had the chance to be a child, and I am not taking it now!"

Eliza was stunned. She had never seen him react like this, they had argued many times, countless times about so many silly things. However this was dire, the hurt outlined in his face showed no mercy. He walked away, and Eliza fell in a sobbing mass onto a chair, much like the last time they had been in such a serious argument, roughly a year ago.

Henry stopped in the hall, he heard his wife's sobs, and his heart plummeted through the floor. Once again he found himself pulling himself together and entering the study. He walked toward her with purpose built into his stride. He wanted to turn and run, but he loved her, and no matter what they had said to each other, he could never leave her. He stared at her figure as he approached. She was knelt lopsidedly on the floor, her face buried in her hands, resting upon the chair, shoulders trembling. Henry perched on the edge of the chair. He lifted her chin, and she ceased her sobbing, yet tears were still running down her face. "I'm sorry, I ... Overreacted."

Eliza stared into his eyes, he sat down on the floor next to her, where she fell into his arms, burying her tear stained face into his chest. He stroked her hair and sighed, perhaps he had been ever so slightly childish.

Please review, I rather enjoyed writing this chapter, and would love know if you enjoyed reading it! X