Chapter 49 – Happy Birthday Henry
It was now mid August, and Henry's birthday, Henry and Elizabeth has not been on the best of terms for the last few days, they found themselves debating on various ethical considerations for yet another world crisis. Henry and Elizabeth had been married for 10 weeks, and although they still loved one another dearly, for some reason things were tense between them, they appeared to be a degree of avoidance.
Elizabeth has been in work early every day this week, she had been up and out before Henry even rose for the morning, this irritating Henry as he had not seen his wife properly for days. Henry walked downstairs and sighed when there was no sign of Elizabeth again, he decided to get dressed and head to her office to challenge her, he knew something was up with her.
Meanwhile over at the state department Elizabeth was sat content in her chair signing paperwork. She glanced at her phone, realised Henry would be awake by now and attempted to call him, she was surprised when he didn't answer. She sat back in her chair and peered into her bottom draw of the desk, seeing his birthday present, she was excited to spend the evening with him tonight, she'd been working endlessly all week so she could attempt to finish early today and share the evening interruptions free with him. She continued with her paperwork and decided to try and call Henry in a bit.
Although she didn't have to as he came into the office
'Well good morning, what a surprise, happy birthday Mr McCord' she flashed him a smile and walked towards him too greet him, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in for a kiss. She immediately sensed something was wrong and pulled back
'What's the matter?' she asked with growing concern
'I'm just worried about you, since we've been married I feel like all we have done is argue, especially since I brought the reverent home 6 weeks ago, and this week you've been in early every morning, coming home and pretty much going starlight to bed, are you avoiding me? He asked concerned
'Henry no, you've got this wrong, yes we had a few heated discussion this week but that was in relation to work, I wasn't arguing with my husband Henry, and yes I've been at work more than normal but I've been trying to work hard to get this evening off to spend with you Henry' She explained herself
'I still feel like you're not telling me something Elizabeth' he stressed and she giggled at him
'It's ok, I'm fine, everything is more than fine, I just want to spend the evening with you, trust me please' she smiled and rubbed his arm reassuringly.
'Ok, I guess I just panicked the honeymoon period was over' he joked
'And just for that comment you can wait until tonight for your gift' she teased before kissing him again.
Later that evening around 5pm Elizabeth was heading home, Henry's gift in hand. She walked through her front door and smiled as Henry stood in front of her waiting to greet her
'Hello birthday boy, how has your day been?' She asked snaking her arms around him
'Uneventful, I missed you' he kissed her deeply
'I've missed you too, sorry I haven't been around this week. And just going back to our discussion this morning you mentioned the reverent I'm sorry I asked you to compromise your ethics, please don't, ever do that because it's one of the many reasons I love you'
'Hmm, and please don't stop challenging me and others or saving the world' he laughed
'I love you too babe'
'Come on let's order and eat, I'm starving' she sighed pulling him towards the sofa, kicking her shoes off.
'Already ordered Chinese'
'Oooo the good greasy kind?' she almost pleaded
'Oh yeah' he scoffed
'See that right there is why I married you' she leant in took a hold of his face and pulled him in for a kiss.
They sat on the sofa together and Elizabeth gave Henry his presents, from her and the staff. he reached in and pulled out 3 cards
'that one first' she said handing him the envelope
'Ok didn't realise there was a specific routine' he mocked
'Well no but these are from other people so you have to open your wife's first' she lied, that wasn't the reason but...
He looked at his card and thanked her before turning to his present, Elizabeth handed him a rectangle shaped box, she sat with her legs tucked underneath her and waited for him to open it, a mixture of nerves and excitement inside her
He pulled back the wrapping paper and the contents were revealed; a rectangular photo frame with 3 photos inside;
One of them when they were dating, one of them on their wedding day, and one of them from their photo shoot 2 weeks ago... Henry's mind slipped back to the day of the photo shoot...
'Elizabeth I don't understand why we need a photo shoot' he protested walking out the door with her
'Oh Henry it's just a bit of fun, we don't have pictures of us in the house, it was a wedding gift let's just enjoy it, please' she said climbing into the SUV.'If it wasn't a gift I'd protest more' 'No you wouldn't, because I am asking you to do something for me' she laughed as they headed to a photo shoot
Henry looked at the last photo of them; Henry had his back to the camera, Elizabeth had her arms around him holding a chalk board, he remembered that particular photo being taken, Elizabeth was supposed to write things she loved about Henry on the chalk board, and then he done the same and they swapped positions moments later. pictures of that pose at a variety of angles were taken, but he really had no idea what was happening at that moment in time,
He glanced at Elizabeth and glanced back at the photo, again; Henry's back to the camera and Elizabeth's hands around him holding the chalk board behind his back; the words written
You're going to be a daddy
Mini McCord coming soon
Henry placed the photo down and looked into her eyes, he grabbed her hands
'Are you serious?' his eyes now glistening
'Yeah, Henry we're having a baby' she smiled, tears in her eyes. Henry threw himself into her, scooped her into his arms and cried happy tears
'Oh my god Elizabeth' he exclaimed
She placed her hands on the side of his face
'I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner I wanted it to be a surprise'
'It's ok, so wait how far along are you?' He had so many questions for her
'Ok, so I am coming up to roughly 3 months, we have a scan in 2 days. I was sick a lot on the morning of our wedding 2 months ago and I realised I missed my period a few days after, so I done a test' she explained
'I've been having horrible morning sickness lately and I'm sorry I've been moody and argumentative recently' she dipped her head
'That's why you've been in work early, and taking everything to heart' he asked, as the penny finally dropped, he was going to be a dad.
'Well yes, I was working to have this evening off but yes I didn't want you to see me being ill' she bit her lip nervously.
'I can't believe this, we're going to be parents!? Thank you for making me the happiest man alive' He reached for her and kissed her again and again and again.
'Oh Henry you've made me the happiest women, I can't even begin to explain how excited I am'
'Frank and Fred know, I had to tell them in case something happened' she continued
'No that's fine, I understand that, I am glad, I want you protected'
'I can't believe this, Elizabeth McCord I love you so
much' He beamed; he really did feel on top of the world.
'I love you too Henry'
'And' he started, laying her down on the sofa, he lifted her too to expose her tummy
'I love you too mini McCord' he smiled as he placed soft gently kisses on her tummy.
She placed her hand on her stomach and Henry placed his on top of hers. They smiled at one another sharing the moment of bliss, happiness and tranquillity.
