Chapter Twenty - two

Ebrius animis, Prudentem corde –'Drunken Minds, Sober Heart'

December 14th 1988

19: 45pm

Elizabeth stood at Henry's front door with coat wrapped around her body so tight trying to shield herself from the cold that was going to hit her as she stepped outside. The night had drawn upon them hours ago. The cold bitterness of the evening crept down over the town and the colours of the day were stolen, the winter could often look bleak in comparison to other season, a cold and harsh time of year; but the beauty of winter is that it allows you to feel the warmth of others around you a little easier.

'Ok I am ready' Henry smiled as he walked towards her, joining her at the door

'You look Handsome' she smiled, running her hands across his shoulders and down his arms. Henry was heading out this evening with some of this ROTC mates for Christmas drinks and Elizabeth would be lying if she said she wasn't anxious. Henry looked down at her and winked as he reached for his coat from the stand.

'Thank you' he leant in a kissed her softly, causing Elizabeth to smile into the kiss, the aroma of his aftershave heightening her senses.

'You don't have to go home you know, you are welcome to stay here'

'Oh I know that, thank you but I really need to do some studying and I just know I'll study better back at mine. Plus it means that I can get more done, and then tomorrow we can have the whole day to ourselves' she teased as she placed her hands on his chest fiddling with the zipper on his coat.

'Now that sounds like a plan'

'Just be careful tonight please' she mumbled, the worry in her voice evident. Henry lifted her chin with his hand. He had come to learn that Elizabeth worried a lot when alcohol was involved in a situation; he gathered it was because of her parent's death.

'I promise' he smiled softly, his thumb caressing her cheek and she smiled back at him, her eyes still fuelled with concern and worry for his safety.

'You sure you don't want to stay here? You'll be here when I get home then, so that way you'll know I am safe'

'No I can't I really need to study, and I don't want to be like that, I want to be able to relax and let you enjoy yourself'

'How about, I come back to yours? You go home, do some work. Get some rest and I will get dropped off at your house and spend the night, that way you know I am safe and I get to sleep next to the most beautiful woman in the world'

'Why who you bringing home?' she teased and he shook his head at her wit.

'I would love that, Thank you Henry' she kissed him once more before opening the door, and stepping outside with him. The cold caused her to tense immediately, and her body shivered.

'Right, I will see you later, Please can get some sleep, and I know where the spare key is so do NOT wait up Elizabeth' he warned her and she rolled her eyes at him.

'I don't know why you even waste your breath McCord. I'll see you later' she giggled and closed the gap. The coldness in the air mixing with the warmth radiating from their bodies, such an enchanting combination running through her veins as they mouths became reacquainted with one another once more.

'Have fun' she whispered rubbing her nose against his before giving him one final peck and leaving, heading to her car to drive herself home.

Later into the evening Elizabeth had sat down in her lounge studying endlessly into the early hours of the morning. She closed her books and yawned; glancing down at her watch she was surprised to see it had gone two o'clock in the morning. She stood and walked to the window and glanced up and down the street. The night frost had set and the sky's darkness provided a sense of completeness as it obliterated the memories of the day that had just been. She spotted headlights in the distance slowly pulling to a stop outside her house. She watched curiously and laughed when she seen Henry stumble out. She walked over to the door and opened it wide, watching him attempt to walk towards her.

'In here' she called, acting as a beacon of light for him to be able to find home. Henry groaned and staggered towards the door, he fell through the door and Elizabeth held out her arm to try and catch him. Elizabeth breathed out as the smell of alcohol hit her.

'God Henry, How much have you had?' she asked closing the door behind her

'Not many, well. That's a lie' he laughed at himself as he looked back over his shoulder at her and smirked

'Heyyyyy sexy' he slurred trying to smoulder his eyes. Elizabeth wrapper her cardigan around her, folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow at him trying hard not to laugh.

'Ohh no you don't' she warned him, she knew that glint in his eyes. He stumbled over his feet and fell into her. Once he straightened his self up and looked down at her

'I fell for you' he whispered and Elizabeth sniggered at him.

'Ok Henry I think you need some rest' she laughed at his drunken state. Elizabeth walked to the kitchen and got him some water, knowing he would need it at some point through the night. She also grabbed him some pain relief for the morning before walking back into the lounge.

'Right let's get you to bed' she smiled and Henry turned to face her, stumbling back in the process and nodded. She walked over to help him and manage to get him to the bedroom. Henry began undressing himself and stood before her naked

'What do you think?' He winked at her

'Oh Henry get into bed' she rolled her eyes as he began to swing his hips a little

'Is that supposed to turn me on?' she bit her lip, it was having the opposite effect and all she wanted to do was burst out laughing at the site of him.

'ohhHHhhh Babbbyyy I LOVVVEEE YOUR WAYYYY' he began to sing, his voice changing in pitch as the words left his mouth. Elizabeth erupted with laugher, she walked over to him and threw him a t-shirt and some boxer shorts.

'Get dressed' Henry laughed at himself and flopped onto the bed throwing the close to the side.

'I am going to sleep like this; just in case'

'In case of what?' She looked over at him as she pulled the duvet back and climbed into bed

'In case YOU, youuuu Elizabeth Adams, In case you want to do that thing'

'And what thing would that be Henry?'

'That thing with your tongue; on my big di-'

'yeah ok! I get the image' She stopped him before he finished. She shook her head at him but it was gentle and full of fun. She knew he meant no harm and she adored him for it.

'Get some rest baby' she leant over and kissed his head softly, and stroked his arm. .

'I want to marry you one day' his slurred words washed over her and Elizabeth's heart swelled as she heard his words

'Oh Henry' she gushed, her eyes focusing on his face, his soft expression. She didn't know if he was speaking the truth or saying it because he was drunk but either way he had made a confession.

'One day' he mumbled as sleep took over and his eyes closed.

She settled down into bed and a wide smile spread across her face. She couldn't quite believe Henry McCord felt that way about her. She closed her eyes softly and let her mind wonder; her future had become mapped out before her eyes tonight and she was content enough to embrace it and look forward to a future with Henry, as Mrs McCord one day. The wind outside slowly began to pick up causing her curtains to move about as her window was still a gape. Elizabeth climbed out of bed to go and close her curtains a little more; she took one final glance outside and stared again at that beautiful scene before her; the world still looking like a black and white movie, whispering sweet nothings into the darkness; all secrets exposed in the dead of the night.