Thanks to everyone who reviewed Dm'd me about last week's chapter - it was really encouraging to hear there are still people enjoying my story.

I worked on this one for a long time so I hope I've done the chapter justice.

Enjoy


XoMariaXo


CHAPTER TWENTYFOUR

Wednesday afternoon rolled round and Elizabeth was snowed under with work but looking forward to her dinner that evening with Lydia and Conrad. She had been pleasantly surprised when Blake informed her that Conrad had requested a private dinner with her. She had actually been meaning to set something up with him and Lydia so she could tell Lydia about Henry, but the past few weeks had been a whirlwind and she hadn't got round to it yet.

She wasn't going to get to see Henry this evening because of the dinner, so was trying to slip in a quick call with him before she had to leave. She had just reached him when Blake came into her office, remarking, "Right. Time to get changed and get going or you are going to be late. I have your jeans and sneakers here for you."

"Blake, I'm on the phone," she complained as she rolled her eyes at him.

"I know. Duh. Hi, Henry." He raised his voice a little louder so Henry could hear him. "I need you to leave so can you wrap it up please, I don't want Lydia shouting at me for you being late, thank you very much."

"Fine! Babe, I have to go. I'll call you later when I get back home, ok? And I'll try and not tell Lydia about all your flaws, I promise." she teased.

She quickly got changed and Blake ushered her out of the office and into her waiting motorcade to make the trip across DC to the White House. Arriving just on time, she went through security and made her way to the stairs of the personal residence. She was shocked to find a casually-dressed Henry standing at the bottom of the staircase, an area out of bounds for employees so she was curious to see how he'd gotten in. She had told him she was going for dinner with Conrad and Lydia, but thought no more of what he might do with that information at the time, "Henry, what are you doing here?"

"We are going for dinner with the president and first lady and I swear I am not nervous at all."

"Huh? What are you talking about? Blake said that Conrad asked for dinner but he didn't mention mention you'd be here! You never mentioned you were coming!"

"Well, Madam Secretary, that is because Blake was asked not to mention my presence by, well, me." he winked at her as he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her up the stairs to theirs hosts' residence.

"So are you all conspiring? Lydia included? What is this all about?"

Henry rolled his eyes and chuckled at her questions, "Will you please just go with the flow? I'm trying to surprise you a little here, woman. And, for the record, it's not conspiring as Lydia doesn't know about us yet. She thinks it's just you for dinner so you can spring this on her. I thought you might enjoy having the upper hand there."

She smiled as she slipped her hand into his and ascended the stairs to greet Conrad and Lydia.

Stepping through the door, she called out, "We are here."

"We?" Lydia shouted back, "Have you brought Blake, Lizzie? I haven't seen him in so..." she stopped when she rounded the corner and realized it wasn't Blake, but instead Conrad's ethics advisor. Her eyes widened when she saw Elizabeth's hand enclosed in Henry's. "Conrad Dalton, if I find out you knew about this and didn't tell me you can tell Secret Service to stop fretting about an assassination attempt because I am going to kill you myself."

Elizabeth chuckled at Lydia while Henry blushed. He knew he should not be shocked because Lydia was Conrad's wife, after all, but her teasing still made him slightly on edge.

Elizabeth could sense his unease, tightening her grip she smiled broadly as she introduced Henry to the woman who had been somewhat of a mother figure to her throughout the years. "Lydia, this is my boyfriend, Henry McCord."

"Well, Henry, I know we have met before, but I must say that I think I will enjoy meeting you in this capacity a lot more." Lydia shook Henry's hand and ushered them to the living room area as Conrad poured drinks for them all.

They sat chatting for a bit while Elizabeth and Henry filled them in on how they had met and gotten together. Lydia excused herself and asked Conrad for a word in the next room. "Thank you for organising this, Connie, I'm so happy to see Elizabeth happy and they both seem smitten."

"As much as I would love to take the brownie points for this one I'm afraid I can't, my love. It was all Henry's idea. They are here to meet you officially. Lizzie told me earlier but only because of the implications it could have at work; I was sworn to secrecy. After this, Henry plans to take her on a date to the bowling alley, it just so happens that bowling alley is in the White House. I think they are being cautious about being seen together in public so early on. They did spend time at the farm this weekend and got to go out like a normal couple so I believe he is trying to recreate that here in DC."

"What!!" Lydia said shocked "she took him to the farm? Oh my goodness, this is really serious, isn't it?"

"I do believe so. I think this might be it for her, she seems...I don't know, content"

Laying her head on Conrad's chest, Lydia took a deep breath and relaxed into the their embrace, "Oh, Connie, I can see grand babies and marriage already. I'm so excited."

"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet, ok?" Conrad laughed at his wife but he loved and lived for her positivity towards life.

Lydia was thinking about the evening ahead when suddenly she had an idea. "Connie, let's not take up too much of their evening. We both know Lizzie will stay all evening if we don't force her to go. We can get the chef to do us up some appetisers here and then they can have dinner down at the bowling alley like a proper date."

"That's a great idea. I'll give Henry the heads up. You go and have a little one on one with our girl and I'll occupy him for a bit."

Lydia and Conrad made their way back Into the living area as Conrad beckoned for Henry, "Henry, would you help me with the drinks please?" Henry headed towards Conrad, jumping immediately at his request.

Lydia made a beeline for Elizabeth and sat beside her taking Henry's place. Smiling at the woman she looked upon as a daughter, Lydia felt her heart soar for her.

"So, what do you think?" Elizabeth asked, though she was not generally one to ask for people's opinions on her love life. Lydia was different though; Elizabeth wanted her opinion on the man she was sure she was going to be spending her life and she wanted her chosen family to like him.

"Lizzie, you seem so happy. If that man is the person helping to put that girlish smile on your face, then I love him and he most certainly has my vote. Also, I'm pretty sure Blake knows about all this and had vetted him to high heavens. That boy is most certainly thorough." Lydia gushed.

Elizabeth laughed at the description of Blake. He and Lydia had formed an unlikely bond over the years through her, and Lydia had him summed up pretty well. "Thank you, Lydia, I'm so glad you like Henry. He does make me really happy."

"Connie tells me that you took him to the farm?" she raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth, "That's a big step for you, so am I ok to assume that it is at the stage that you have always refused to even mention when it comes to a significant other?"

Elizabeth blushed. It still caught her off guard sometimes how Lydia felt so at ease calling her out on her behaviour or her reluctance to talk about certain things. It was a very motherly thing to do. As much as it occasionally made her uncomfortable or made her question some of her earlier life decisions, it had always worked out in her favour and she respected Lydia immensely. She was strong willed, confident and fearless, all while being one of the most sincere people Elizabeth had ever met and she valued her presence in her life, and she was so excited about sharing this with her.

"I think so, although we haven't actually said it. But I think I'm there, which is exciting but also terrifying. What if it doesn't work out?" she asked, as she her mind started to swirl.

"Lizzie, listen to me. Being in love is one of the scariest but most beautiful things you will ever experience in your life but, as my mother once told me, you have to risk everything in order to gain everything and I can confirm that she was right. Do you think you could do that?"

Elisabeth mulled this over, could she risk it all to be with Henry? Could she open herself fully to the prospect of having Henry in her life and in her heart? It was then she realised that she didn't know why she was asking herself these questions. If she was truly honest with herself, there was no question to be asked, she had already opened her mind and her heart to a future with Henry, there was no longer a version of her life where he wasn't present and at centre stage. She smiled at her realisation and looked at Lydia, "I think I can do that. I can do that for him"

"Then I look forward to getting to see you grow as a couple. Just so you know, I will be expecting a nice day out where I can wear a fancy wedding hat," Lydia pulled Elizabeth in for a quick hug and smiled. As she pulled back, she thought she would tease a bit more, "And, more importantly, I am looking forward to grand babies whenever they may come along. "

Elizabeth's eye bulged at the mention of babies, "I think we are a good while away from that but I appreciate the sentiment. You will make a great grandmother," she winked at her as the boys made their way back over to them. She was grateful for the one on one time she had with Lydia because she was even more confident in how she felt about Henry. Lydia always had just the way of providing clarity for her.

The conversation flowed as nibbles were served. Both Elizabeth and Henry were overjoyed at how well the evening was going. Once they had finished theirs drinks, Henry stood "Lydia, Conrad, thank you so much for you hospitality. I have enjoyed getting to know you both on a more personal level."

Elizabeth was confused by what sounded like a good-bye from Henry. Their evening was really only getting started and they only had some finger food so far and an entire dinner was to follow. At least that is what she had been told and had prepared for. "Henry? What's going on? I thought we were staying for dinner."

"Nope, I have a surprise lined up for us thanks to Conrad. Lydia just pushed our timeline ahead by a bit. Now, come on and before you start asking 5 million questions, just be patient and you will see in a few minutes, ok?"

Elizabeth looked between all three of them and knew she would be fighting a losing battle so she just rolled her eyes and proceeded to get up to join Henry.

"Well, wonders never cease. Henry McCord, I applaud you. I've never known her to not argue or insist she know every single detail. I will need you to teach me your skills sometime," Henry laughed as Lydia ribbed Elizabeth, knowing fine well what she was doing.

"Excuse me, I am standing right here, you know." Elizabeth pretended to complain as they made their way to the door. "Do I even get a hint? Do I need to get changed?"

"You are perfect, baby," Henry pecked her on the lips as he tried to reassure her. They bid Conrad and Lydia good bye and began to leave the residence. When they didn't make their way to the exit, Elizabeth got even more confused. Henry sensed it and decided to give her a little hint, "We are going on a proper date, a normal-couple one," he explained as be squeezed her hand a little tighter.

"Henry, that was ok at the farm but the streets of DC are not the same..."

He cut her off before she had a chance to go any further, "who said anything about the streets of DC?"

Just then, they rounded the corner and Henry opened the door straight ahead. She had never been at this end of the White House, so didn't know where they were going until they walked through the door.

"Henry!" she squealed with excitement as he led them through the door, "Oh my God! How did you organise this? I love bowling but haven't been in such a long time," she threw her arms around him and pulled him in for a deep kiss, "Thank you for this."

"You're welcome, babe. Now would you rather eat first or play a few rounds?"

"We are eating here too?" she asked excitedly.

"Yep, anything you like according to Lydia. She organised the chef when we got there after Conrad told her what I had planned."

"God, that woman has game. Well it definitely has to be burgers then, can't have anything else when bowling."

"I would agree. You set the lane up and I'll put the request in."

"Ok, but prepare to go down, I am amazing at bowling and you are going to lose."

He pulled her back and flushed their bodies together as she tried to walk away, "I am always prepared to go down. I doubt very much I will be the loser this evening when I have the sexiest woman in the world bending over and constantly playing with balls. Cant get much hotter than that," he whispered, making her legs turn to jelly, before he kissed her passionately.

Panting heavily, Elizabeth turned the tables back on him, "Well played, McCord, but I play to win and I'm not against using dirty tactics," she pinched his bum before turning and walking away swaying her hips, knowing he was watching.

They bowled a few lanes and spent the entire time trying to put the other off their game. Henry saw a much more competitive side to Elizabeth, but what he loved the most was how she opened up her more playful side to him. She also wasn't lying when she said she wasn't against using dirty tactics. It was his turn next; as he approached the lane, she came up beside him just as he was about to bowl and said, "I know I'm winning but I rather enjoy going down as well," His mind instantly flashed with the image of her in the act and the ball went straight down the gutter. She laughed loudly as she watched the pins stay upright.

Henry turned to her with a twinkle in his eye determined to get her back. "Oh, you think you are so funny, don't you? Just you wait," she saw the devilish look in his eye as he made a beeline for her and ran around the table in the centre of the room. They were laughing as Henry tried to catch her from the other side, but after a few false turns, he caught her around the waist and began tickling her. Her body twisted and turned as his fingers pinched at her waist; their laughs became uncontrollable as their stomach muscles began to contract, tumbling to the ground and landing in a jumble of limbs.

Neither had ever felt so carefree or whole in their entire lives. Their eyes met as if a force was drawing them to each other. Even before fully thinking about the implications of his words, Henry whispered, "I love you, Elizabeth Adams."

Her heart leapt at hearing the words she had been wanting to say; and finally having the courage to let them flow freely from her own mouth, she smiled back at him and brought her hand up to cup his face, "I love you too, Henry McCord." Henry had never felt happiness like he did, hearing those words coming from the woman of dreams. He returned her smile as he leaned in and captured her lips with his, seeking out a physical connection. What started as a loving and emotional moment soon turned into impassioned and fervent lustful longing between the two.

Henry didn't want to break what was one of the most intense and heartfelt kisses of his life, but he always had Elizabeth's best interest at heart and he knew that they needed to stop before they went too far. He pulled his lips back from hers and cupped her cheek with his hand as he rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone "As much as I would love nothing more than to continue this, I think we need to stop." She agreed with a soft groan, as he kissed her forehead and nose before finally planting a soft, short peck on her lips. They untangled themselves and helped each other get up, then stood and smiled at one another like school-kids, "Not where I saw this evening going if I'm honest, not that I haven't been thinking that for a while."

"You have?" Elizabeth asked, surprised.

"Elizabeth, I don't know how else I can get this across apart from just saying it." Taking her face in his hands, as the emotion started to get the better of him, "You, Elizabeth Adams, are the love of my life. I have never felt this way about another person. Hell, I didn't even know that I could love someone this much, you make me feel complete and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much."

Tears formed in Elizabeth's eyes as Henry made his declaration of love. She couldn't quite believe this was happening to her or how much her life had changed from that fateful night in the coffee shop.

"I love you, Henry, you are the person I see myself growing old with and I have thanked my lucky stars every day, from the moment we met, that you came into my life. I can't really describe the enormity of my feelings for you because, to be honest, they scare me a little. But you give me the courage to explore them."

Henry took her words in and sighed with contentment at the knowledge that she loved him as well. He lay his forehead on hers as the moment washed over them. Eventually, he spoke "Do you want to stay or go home?"

"Let's not waste our opportunity for a date night while we have it. Plus, you need to feed me as promised, and I want to kick your ass even more while you check mine out. I know it looks good in these jeans," she laughed and turned to walk towards the lane when Henry passed her and gave her bum a squeeze, "It looks good in anything babe."

They had their burgers and bowled a few more rounds and spent the rest of their time there enjoying each other's company with only one interruption. Finishing up for the evening, they made their way out of the White House and towards Elizabeth's waiting motorcade. He was about to kiss her good night when she ushered him into the car with a smile.

"What are you doing? I thought we agreed I would stay at my place tonight?" Henry asked.

"We did, but I have a little surprise of my own up my sleeve now. Then, we are heading back to mine. I'm not spending the night on the phone with you rather than being wrapped in your arms after this evening."

Henry was intrigued now, but also thankful because the thought of spending the night, especially tonight, away from her almost killed him, "Thank God, I really wasn't sure how I was going to cope with being away from you tonight, but I didn't want to overwhelm you."

"You never overwhelm me, Henry. I'll take all you are willing to give. I love you"

"I love you, too, baby" Henry whispered as he snaked his arm around her and pulled her body close to his as she settled her head on his chest.

A little while into he journey, he noticed they weren't going to his apartment to grab his stuff for work for the next day, "Babe, you know I need some clothes for work tomorrow. I think someone might question why I am turning up to work in either a day-old work suit or my bowling attire. I'm not so sure either is my look."

Elizabeth blushed and went a little sheepish, "Well I might have done a thing."

Henry laughed as he wondered where this was going and if it involved Blake picking out underwear for him again, "You did a thing or you got Blake to do a thing?"

"No I did this all by myself. I was capable of doing things before he came along, you know. Anyway I may have ordered you a go-bag for my place, or more accurately a stay-bag with a few things you can keep at mine so if we are ever caught off-guard like tonight you have things to wear. It's nothing major, just spare stuff for work, some lounge wear and your toiletries. Its not weird is it?" she asked unsure of herself.

He lifted their interlinked hands and kissed the back of her hand, "No, it's definitely not weird. In fact it's incredibly sweet and means we can spend more time with each other. Thank you, babe."

Elizabeth snuggled back into his embrace and waited for him to realise where they were going and it didn't take him very long, "Babe, are we going to where I think we are going?"

She shifted in the seat to look at him. "Maybe," she smiled knowingly back at him.

"That's what the phone call was for earlier? I should have known you were up to something with the grin you had. Will it not be closed and are you not worried about someone seeing us?"

"It is closed, but I asked the owner for a favour and they arranged for one of the staff to let us in. I know most of them now and they are discreet."

He put his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace, kissing the top of her head as the car came to a stop outside the cafe that changed their lives. "Perfect end to the perfect evening, thank you baby."

They ordered the same coffees and the same single sugar doughnut to share as they sat at the same table and talked about everything and anything. This time, though, as they got up to leave, they were leaving hand in hand, knowing they had found their soul mate and neither could be happier.