Chapter Fifteen

Veritas Odit Moras – 'Truth hates delay'

November 28th 1988

05.03am

The cold morning frost was set, the car doors frozen shut as Henry tugged at the handle a few times before it opened. He threw both his and Elizabeth's bags in the trunk before starting the engine to defrost the car. As the engine ran the frost began to slowly disappear, revealing the silver tone of metal beneath it. A metaphor for life; you can only cover up what is underneath for so long before its true contents are revealed.

Elizabeth walked to the car; her breath appearing before her as she rubbed her hands together shivering. Henry walked up behind her and rubbed her shoulders to help warm her up

'Come on, let's go' He smiled before opening the car door for her

'It's so cold and so early' she moaned. Henry climbed into the driver's side and turned the heating up.

'It will warm up soon, right you ready for a five hour drive' he chuckled and she threw her head around raising an eyebrow at him

'Only if you have food'

'Of course, what kind of a person doesn't take snacks on a trip?' He teased and pointed to a bag in the foot well of the car which was full of various food and drink. Elizabeth giggled and leant over to Henry. She placed her hand on his cheek and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

'Happy Thanksgiving Henry' she smiled

'Happy Thanksgiving beautiful' He kissed her back softly and started the car.

'Let's go and meet the McCord's' she giggled as they set off for Pittsburgh.

Elizabeth had fallen asleep during the majority of the car journey enabling Henry to continue straight through. He kept stealing glances at her; in awe of her being. He slowly outstretched his hand and lightly pressed his fingertips into her shoulder in an attempt to wake her. He smiled as she stirred and began to wipe her blonde locks from her face. Her eyes blinkered and she twisted her neck to stretch.

'Sorry' she mumbled, a little shy she had fallen asleep.

'No need. Were hear' he nodded to the house on the right as he pulled up outside. Suddenly Elizabeth's body froze like the car door earlier that morning. She swallowed hard as her heart began to race and her stomach flutter. You can do this, you can do this Elizabeth she reminded herself repeatedly. She wasn't nervous about meeting them; it was more that she had not been around a family unit since her parent's death. Will and her were taken in by their aunt and uncle not long after the incident but Elizabeth never got along with them; so after a few weeks of hostility she went to boarding school, only visiting them during holidays until eventually she never returned home.

Henry noticed the shift in her body language so he placed a loving hand on her knee and gently squeezed it. She looked at him and gave him her best fake smile, but he chuckled. He knew that one.

'They're ok I promise, I know I moan about that but they are really are a friendly bunch' He smiled genuinely at her. She nodded. She couldn't let him know that wasn't the real reason. Not yet, not on thanksgiving, but she also knew, much like the winter frost, it will be time for us to be greeted with its unwanted presence soon.

Stepping out of the car and retrieving the bags, Elizabeth linked arms with Henry as they walked towards the door. She inhaled deeply bracing herself for Henry to knock but it seemed his family had other ideas. Elizabeth was taken by surprise when the front door swung open and a young girl flung her arms around Henry. Elizabeth watched as more family come piling out. Her heart swelled; this is family.

'Wooahhh there Erin' Henry laughed pulling his youngest sister into his embrace. She stepped away from him and laughed

'I missed you so much'

'We all did' come a strong female voice from behind him.

'Mom' He smiled and walked over to her, he placed the bag on the floor and wrapped his arms around her, and there was nobody in his life like his mother.

'Mom...this is Elizabeth Adams, my girlfriend. Elizabeth...this is my mother, Mary McCord. Before you she was my favourite female' He beamed, stepping to take Elizabeth's hand and pull her towards his mother. Mary playfully swatted him but he ducked out the way

'I should still be your favourite female, at least in front of me, keep that soppiness for behind my back please' She teased and opened her arms for Elizabeth.

'Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs McCord' she smiled and Mary shook her head.

'Get here, were not that polite' she laughed and pulled Elizabeth in for a hug. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around the woman and closed her eyes. A mother's hug. Something she had been craving for years. She took a step back and smiled at Mary.

'Happy Thanksgiving' Elizabeth smiled and before Mary had chanced to respond Erin came bouncing in.

'Hi I am Erin, Henry's youngest sister' she took Elizabeth by surprise and hugged her tightly like she had done to Henry moments ago. Henry chuckled

'Alright Erin let her breath' He mocked and shook his head at her. He placed a protective arm across Elizabeth's back to reassure her that he was there; he knew she would be getting overwhelmed by now.

'Shall we get in from the cold and do introductions properly' Mary giggled and led the way into the family home. Elizabeth slipped her hand into Henry's for a little added support before walking into the McCord household.

Later that afternoon the family were all sat in the lounge whilst Henry and Mary continued to share themselves between the family and the cooking of the food. Elizabeth had relaxed into the family home; she smiled as she listened to Maureen and Shane argue over tiny little things and watched as Erin continued to be at Henry's side. Henry had told Elizabeth back when they first met that him and Erin were close and that she adored him that much was evident.

'It's a mad house huh?' Patrick leaned into Elisabeth. She glanced over to him and giggled.

'It's perfect' she was genuine. It was moments like this she missed with her own family. Especially Will. She hadn't seen him for a number of years; nearly three. Being in the McCord family home made her realise what she had missed out on over the years; but thankful for being able to become a part of this new family. A bitter sweet moment.

'Hey If I was you I would go an make a call to your family now to say Happy thanksgiving before Mary gets you at that table, a feast for the five hundred is coming your way' Patrick laughed. A phone call. Oh gosh. Elizabeth had not thought that far ahead. The panic began to creep in, suddenly she felt all eyes were on her and that at any given moment the truth would come spilling out uncontrollably.

'The landline is connected upstairs, on top of the landing if you would like some privacy' Patrick smiled noting the concerned look on her face. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

'Thanks, I rum...I'll be right back' she stood and plastered her best fake smile she could. She headed towards the stairs as her hand glided up the banister, the smooth wooden frame under her palm slowly grounding her and allowing her to catch her breath before she reached the top. She took a seat next to the phone and sat there for a few minutes. It's ok, just sit here for long enough and then go down. Say you've called, or you couldn't get through. Yes I couldn't get through the lines are busy, must be the weather. Her mind was occupied with lies and excuses so much she didn't notice the presence before her; watching her.

'So what's the real reason you're not at your parents for thanksgiving?' Come the voice. Elizabeth looked up and swallowed. Her breath shaking, she knew she couldn't lie. Tears pricked into her eyes and the woman stood before her knew instantly something was not right. She walked into the bedroom and grabbed her coat, and winter essentials.

'Shall we go for a walk?' The woman asked and Elizabeth nodded. Following suit Elizabeth stood up and went to grab her coat and winter essentials. The women made their excuses and left the house. Elizabeth dared not speak through fear of breaking down, she was thankful Henry was busy in the kitchen.

As they stepped outside the cold air took a hold of their lungs. It was like a violent shove; the shock of the fresh weather creeping in. The ground crunched beneath their feet as they walked across the frozen grass, stepping away from the house. Silence falling between them. Elizabeth slipped her hands into her pockets and walked with her head hung low. The words were squeezed from her, she was almost forced into explaining what happened to her family before she was ready, and at least that is how it felt.

'So, come on. We're not going back until you've spoken' came the soft words from the woman she walked with. Elizabeth inhaled deeply before looking up. She nodded. The winter has the courage to turn into spring, to turn from a season where many things are buried beneath frost and snow; into a season of growth and exposure of all living things as they blossom. Elizabeth knew she had to do the same. So she opened her mouth and began to tell the story of her parents...

Back at the house Henry walked from the kitchen into the lounge and glanced around

'Where is Elizabeth?' He asked picking up his mug and taking a seat

'Oh her and Maureen went for a walk to get something from the shop' Patrick explained dismissing the notion. But Henry knew instantly something else was going on. Elizabeth hated this time of year, she would never take a spontaneous walk in the cold; not even with him, and she had this buried hatred for this time of year he had noticed. He could only assume from that, that she had not yet witnessed the magic and beautiful off the winter, but only experienced the harsh and treacherous winters. The kind that changes you forever; when the darkness creeps in and doesn't ever leave. Not really.