Hey! I am so sorry for the delay I have been really sick and bed bound! Anyway I am on the mend now and I promise you all an update Christmas Eve!!

Chapter Sixteen

Ignis et glacies – 'Fire and Ice'

November 28th 1988

14.34pm

Icy paths are often a thing of complexity. They look beautiful; this shimmering, smooth surface reflecting the sun but they are often very dangerous, slippery and once you step onto an icy path you have no real way of foretelling the unpredictability; will you make it to the end of the path unharmed, or will you fall and stumble along the way, potentially hurting others. With that in mind, an icy path is a lot like opening up and telling the truth. Wouldn't you agree?

Elizabeth Glanced at her feet before her; her winter boots had very poor grip, she inhaled the cool air deeply praying her centre balance could keep her up right. Maureen walked by her side in silence, waiting for Elizabeth to speak. She looked over at the tiny woman next to her and smiled sadly.

'So, how long has it been since you've spoken to them?' Maureen asked, knowing the ice needed to be cracked before Elizabeth could break it herself. Elizabeth shot a look at Maureen, How did she know? She thought to herself.

'Oh come on, give me some credit. Being Henry's older sister you come to recognise the signs of someone who doesn't speak or get along with their parents. You have the same kind of look in your eyes as he did before he left for UVA' she explained and Elizabeth let one small chuckle escape her mouth. Laughing at the irony.

'And Henry said he was the smartest' Elizabeth teased causing Maureen to smile as they walked further along.

'He also said you wanted to join the CIA, and I can see why with those deflection skills' she smirked and Elizabeth sighed, No getting out of this she thought to herself. She dipped her head and watched the path below her feet, she closed her eyes as the wind picked up and caused the tears that were pricking at her eyes to sting a little. She swallowed them back and exhaled.

'I haven't seen them for five years' She replied honestly, never taking her gaze off her feet, watching cautiously where she was walking.

'Henry said you were estranged?' she pressured further and Elizabeth grimaced. Her lie hitting her in the face like that gust of wind moments ago.

'I lied about that' she admitted, ashamed of herself. Maureen placed an arm around her shoulders for support and reassurance.

'I've lied about many things as I've felt it was the right thing to do, so why don't you tell me and we can sort this?' She smiled as Elizabeth nodded.

The continued to walk and loop back towards the house; Elizabeth struggled initially but eventually opened up and told Maureen the truth about her 'estranged family' and why she decided to tell Henry that rather than the truth. To her surprise Maureen was understanding; Henry had painted this image of Maureen being difficult at times but Elizabeth had a completely different experience, something she was thankful for. Once she finished explaining the circumstances to Maureen they'd come to a natural stop, Maureen looked down at Elizabeth and smiled.

'It will be ok, He will understand, my brother is caring like that' came the calm soothing words of advice, the side they had all evidently inherited from their mother. Elizabeth smiled and looked down at her feet as she shuffled them from side to side; it was only then she noticed she made it down the icy path without falling. Perhaps telling Henry wouldn't be so bad.

As they slowly began to walk back towards the house; conscious of time Elizabeth turned to Maureen and smirked;

'So...What are you due?' she asked and giggled at the shocked look on Maureen's face. Her speech had somehow disappeared from her as her mouth fell agape.

'You kept touching your stomach every time I spoke about my parents' Elizabeth offered an explanation.

'Ohh, Yes you do belong in the CIA' she laughed and placed a hand on her nonexistent bump.

'I am 13 weeks; we had the scan last week. Everyone's Thanksgiving cards that they will open later are from 'bump'' Maureen explained excitedly. Elizabeth threw her arms around her and held her tight

'Congratulations' she whispered as Maureen responded to her warming embrace. Both ladies stepped back and smiled happily at one another.

'You don't think Henry will mind, he is who I am most worried about, Mum has been nagging me for a grandchild' Maureen bit her lip

'Are you serious? You won't be able to keep Henry away, or me for that matter' she winked and linked arms with Maureen as they continued their journey.

'I just worry he won't be happy, I know I am twenty-five and an adult now, I just don't want to cause anymore friction in the family' she admitted.

'Like you just told me, He is understanding, it will be ok,' Elizabeth echoed. Maureen didn't get a chance to respond as the front door to the house flew open just like it did when Henry and Elizabeth first arrived.

'There you two are, I am starving, I am surprised you're not Elizabeth' Henry chuckled and walked towards them both; he wrapped his protective arms around Elizabeth and kissed the side of her head. She nuzzled into him; inhaling his scent and feeling the connection run through their bodies.

'Come on everyone in' he ushered them inside.

Elizabeth took his hand and took a deep breath. She decided to let Maureen have this moment and she would speak to Henry privately on the way home. She just hoped the weather didn't change; She had managed to make her way down the ice and had become comfortable with that; that she could manage and she knew that there might be a slight slip or two on the way down but if handled correctly no mishaps should happen, however Elizabeth was plagued with this dreaded fear that the beautiful untouched sheen of ice that glistened would become cracked under the pressure and break. And once it broke, who knew if what was underneath was still there, or if the coldness had already killed it off.